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Frozen Four: Denver to face Minnesota-Duluth for NCAA title

2017 NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Championships - Semifinals

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 06: Nick Wolff #5 (L), Hunter Miska #35 and Neal Pionk #4 of the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs celebrate a win over the Harvard Crimson during game one of the 2017 NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey Championship Semifinal at the United Center on April 6, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Minnesota-Duluth defeated Harvard 2-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

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The stage is now set for the NCAA title game in Chicago.

Denver and Minnesota-Duluth were both victorious in their respective semifinal games on Thursday, advancing to the Frozen Four championship contest, which goes Saturday at the United Center.

San Jose Sharks prospect Dylan Gambrell, selected in the second round, 60th overall, in last year’s NHL Draft, had two goals for Denver, which dominated Notre Dame by a final score of 6-1.

“I don’t really know what to say. I’m just amazed at the effort that our team produced in a big-time moment against a really, really good college hockey team,” said Denver coach Jim Montgomery, per ESPN.

Minnesota-Duluth didn’t quite have it so easy in its semifinal.

Senior forward Alex Iafallo scored on a deflection with 26 seconds remaining in regulation, sending the Bulldogs to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Harvard.

“It’s kind of been our MO all year, another tight hockey game, another one-goal game,” said Bulldogs coach Scott Sandelin, per US College Hockey Online. “And just real exciting to be moving on.”

The finale now pits two of the top teams in the NCAA rankings -- Denver was No. 1, and Minnesota-Duluth was No. 3 -- against each other for the championship.