North Dakota off to Frozen Four after beating Michigan

North Dakota is heading to Tampa Bay.

The Fighting Hawks defeated Michigan 5-2 on Saturday in the Midwest Regional final to book their spot in the Frozen Four.

North Dakota led 2-1 after 40 minutes, with Luke Johnson scoring with 45 seconds remaining in the second period to give the Fighting Hawks the lead off a brutal Michigan turnover.

After Michigan captain J.T. Compher scored his second of the game to square the match at 2-2, Rhett Garnder scored on a deflection to give North Dakota a lead it wouldn't relinquish.

A minute and 14 seconds after Gardner's goal, Coltyn Sanderson made it 4-2 courtesy of a brilliant tip-in goal, ending any hope for the Wolverines.

Michigan goaltender Steve Racine did what he could for the Wolverines, stopping 44 of 48 shots he faced. North Dakota's Cam Johnson made 25 saves in the win.

The Fighting Hawks are off to their third straight Frozen Four. They lost to Boston University in last year's semifinals, and to Minnesota in the 2014 semis. The program hasn't celebrated a national championship since 2000.