Savoie scores go-ahead goal

Third-period tally puts Denver in Frozen Four

For the second straight game, Carter Savoie broke a tie game in the third period to give the Denver’s men’s hockey team a win in the NCAA Tournament.

Savoie jammed in a rebound to propel the No. 3 Pioneers to a 2-1 win over No. 6 Minnesota Duluth in the West Region final Saturday in Loveland, Colo.

The Pioneers (29-9-1) advance to the Frozen Four at TD Garden in Boston on April 7. They will play either No. 2 Michigan or No. 8 Quinnipiac in the national semifinals. Michigan and Quinnipiac play Sunday in Allentown, Pa.

Denver has won the national title eight times, most recently in 2017.

In the regional semifinals, Savoie scored in the third period against UMass Lowell to give the Pioneers a 2-1 lead. On Saturday, he was in the right place at the right time. Defenseman Sean Behren’s shot from the point deflected off the boards —and the skate of a Bulldogs defender — to Savoie, who was perched on the doorstep of the Minnesota Duluth net.

Denver outshot Minnesota Duluth 34-25.

Darian Gotz gave the Bulldogs (21-16-4) the lead 14:40 into the first period, but Cole Guttman tied the game less than three minutes later on a shot from the point. Forward Bobby Brink set up the goal with strong forechecking that resulted in a turnover in the Bulldogs’ end. Guttman’s goal snapped Ryan Fanti’s three-game scoreless streak. Fanti finished with 32 saves.

The game remained tied through the second period, though the Bulldogs had an excellent opportunity to go ahead. Minnesota Duluth failed to capitalize on a 5-on-3 power play, which lasted 48 seconds in the second period.

Magnus Chrona made 24 saves for the Pioneeers.