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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- So much for the theory defending champion Minnesota was too young to make it back to the NCAA title game.

With freshman Thomas Vanek leading the way, anything is possible.

Vanek scored on a bad-angle shot 8:55 into overtime, lifting the Golden Gophers to a 3-2 victory over Michigan in Thursday's semifinal. Gino Guyer and Troy Riddle also scored and Travis Weber stopped 31 shots for the Gophers, who overcame a 2-0 deficit.

Minnesota (29-8-9) will face New Hampshire in Saturday's final, with the Golden Gophers having an opportunity to become the first team to repeat as champions since Boston University won in 1971 and 1972.

The Wildcats, behind Steve Saviano's two goals, beat top-seeded Cornell 3-2 in the day's other Frozen Four semifinal.

"I guess I'm just the lucky one in the right spot,'' said Vanek, who leads the team with 30 goals, four of them game-winners. "This is really satisfying. This is why I came here, to get a shot at the title. And now we do.''

Vanek, who also had an assist, ended the game when he pounced on a loose puck in the left corner. Spinning away from a Wolverines defender, he snapped a shot from just below the circle, beating goalie Al Montoya through the legs.

Brandon Kaleniecki and Jed Ortmeyer scored for Michigan (30-10-2), which lost its third semifinal game in three years, including last year's 3-2 loss to the Gophers. The Wolverines, who lead the NCAA with nine hockey titles, have not advanced to the championship game since winning the title in 1998.

"When it gets down to overtime, it's tough to swallow,'' Wolverines coach Red Berenson said. "Maybe it's just another game, but our team fully expected to be in the championship game.''

Minnesota, which has won four titles, returns to the championship game despite losing most of the core of last year's team. This season's Gophers feature only two seniors and six juniors.

The Gophers beat Michigan by overcoming a sluggish start, in which they were outshot 15-5 and were hemmed in their end for most of the first period.

Minnesota, which possesses the nation's third-ranked offense, finally responded after Ortmeyer put the Wolverines up 2-0 at 14:38 of the second period.

Riddle cut the lead three minutes later, capping a scramble in front by tapping in a loose puck. Guyer tied the game 1:35 into the third period, one-timing in Barry Tallackson's centering pass.

Michigan appeared to go up 3-2 with 10:09 left in regulation. Jason Ryznar's shot deflected off several legs and eventually trickled in. The goal was disallowed when referee Scott Hansen, backed by a video review, ruled he whistled down play before the puck crossed the goal line.

"Goals are hard to come by, but we're not going to beat that one up,'' coach Berenson said. "We needed to score more than once in the first period.''

Ryznar had another chance to score with 3:15 remaining. With Weber out of position, Ryznar shot at an unguarded net, only to have his backhander from the slot blocked by diving Gophers defenseman Paul Martin.

"It could've been the game right there,'' said Weber, who made several big stops himself. "Paulie was there. It shows the chemistry on this team, how we get along and care for each other.''

Minnesota extended its unbeaten streak to 13 games (11-0-2) and overcame a two-goal deficit for the fourth time this season.

Game notes
The two schools differ on their overall records against each other. Michigan's record book states the Wolverines are 114-121-15 against Minnesota. The Gophers insist they're 116-110-16 against Michigan. ... Montoya, who turned 18 on Feb. 13, is the nation's youngest college player. ... Gophers D Keith Ballard celebrated a homecoming of sorts. The Baudette, Minn., native was taken 11th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in last year's NHL draft.