2022 Frozen Four is Down to Two: Denver vs Minnesota State

The NCAA men's hockey tournament is here, and after a 16-team field battled through regionals, the Frozen Four in Boston is down to two: the Denver Pioneers and the Minnesota State Mavericks.

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In Thursday night's semifinals, Denver, the regular-season champ in the NCHC, defeated Big Ten tournament champion Michigan, 3-2, in overtime, and Minnesota State, the CCHA tournament and regular-season champ, handled Minnesota, the Big Ten's regular-season champion, 5-1.

The balance of power all season was in the western conferences, and that's the way the regionals played out. Minnesota State, which won its 18th straight game Thursday night, is back in the Frozen Four after making its first appearance in the national semifinals last year. Denver is in the Frozen Four for the 17th time, winning it all eight times.

The national title game will be Saturday at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2 and streaming on the ESPN app).

LOOK: 50 images of winning moments from sports history

Sometimes images are the best way to honor the figures we've lost. When tragedy swiftly reminds us that sports are far from the most consequential thing in life, we can still look back on an athlete's winning moment that felt larger than life, remaining grateful for their sacrifice on the court and bringing joy to millions.

Read on to explore the full collection of 50 images Stacker compiled showcasing various iconic winning moments in sports history. Covering achievements from a multitude of sports, these images represent stunning personal achievements, team championships, and athletic perseverance.