Western Michigan Moves to First Frozen Four Championship

Date: April 10, 2025 | Location: St. Louis

Game Highlights

In an electrifying clash at the Frozen Four, Western Michigan University triumphed over the defending champions, the University of Denver, with a dramatic 3-2 victory that extended into double overtime. Owen Michaels clinched the win just 26 seconds into the second overtime, marking a monumental achievement for the Broncos, who are now set to play for their first national title.

Key Players

• Owen Michaels: Scored the decisive double-overtime goal.
• Brian Kramer: Contributed a crucial goal in the second period.
• Hampton Slukynsky: Stopped 20 shots in goal for Western Michigan.
• Matt Davis: Denver’s goalie, made 44 saves during the match.

Match Overview

The game saw Western Michigan initially take a commanding 2-0 lead, courtesy of goals from Michaels and Kramer. However, Denver rallied late in the third period, with Jared Wright netting the equalizer with just 2:39 remaining in regulation, creating a tense finale that led to overtime.

Michaels’ game-winning goal was a pivotal moment; he capitalized on a play initiated by teammate Matteo Costantini. Following a swift entry into the Denver zone, Costantini facilitated a well-timed pass that Michaels executed perfectly, successfully shooting over the right shoulder of Davis.

Coaching Insights

Western Michigan’s head coach, Pat Ferschweiler, emphasized the resilience of his team. “It’s a focused group. They never lose belief in themselves,” he stated, reflecting on the Broncos’ remarkable journey to the Frozen Four, which marked their debut in the prestigious tournament. Ferschweiler acknowledged that while the team dominated much of the game, they needed to capitalize on their opportunities more effectively.

Looking Ahead

With this victory, Western Michigan (33-7-1) moves on to face Boston University in the championship game. The Terriers secured their spot following a 3-1 win against Penn State in the other semifinal match, marking their first Frozen Four final appearance in a decade. Freshman phenom Mikhail Yegorov delivered an impressive performance by stopping 32 shots to thwart Penn State’s efforts.

Denver’s Perspective

Despite the loss, Denver’s standout defenseman Zeev Buium, a Hobey Baker Award finalist, reflected on the disappointment of the season’s end rather than contemplating his future actions following being drafted by the Minnesota Wild. “I just hate losing. I love this place more than anything in the world,” he expressed, conveying the emotional weight of the game.

Next Steps

The championship game between Western Michigan and Boston University is set for Saturday evening, promising another exciting matchup as both teams vie for glory. As each team prepares, players like Jack Hughes from Boston University acknowledge the significance of this opportunity, adding, “We all came here for a reason, to win a national championship.”

With the stage now set for the final showdown, fans eagerly anticipate what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the Frozen Four tournament.