The Western Michigan Broncos have won their first NCAA Hockey Championship in program history, defeating Boston University 6-2.
The game was closely contested through two-and-a-half periods, with both teams generating scoring opportunities. However, Owen Michaels third-period goal put the Broncos up 4-2 and changed the game dynamic.
Michaels ended up with two goals, including an empty-netter, and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Frozen Four.
The Broncos’ coach, Pat Ferschweiler, led his team to victory in their first-ever appearance in the Frozen Four and the national championship game.
The team’s dominant performance was marked by their physicality, aggressive forecheck, and relentless offensive attack, with Iiro Hakkarainen and Ty Henricks also contributing to the score.
Recap the live updates, scores, and highlights as Boston University takes on Western Michigan
All tournament team at the #MFrozenFour
Zeev Buium, Denver
Joona Vaisanen, WMU
Cole Eiserman, BU
Tim Washe, WMU
Owen Michaels, WMU
Hampton Slukynsky, WMU
Most Outstanding Player: Owen Michaels
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THE BRONCOS RAISE THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY! pic.twitter.com/aI4ZfcdkMP
What a game. The Broncos bring home the trophy as they defeated Boston University 6-2. There will be no extra periods as WMU dominated the Terriers through three periods.
Western Michigan, and coach Pat Ferschweiler, win their first NCAA Hockey Championship in program history in their first-ever entry into the Frozen Four and the title game.
Owen Michaels scores two goals and likely wins the Most Outstanding Player of the Frozen Four.
THE BRONCOS ARE NATTY CHAMPS 🏆#MFrozenFour x 🎥 ESPN2 / @WMUHockey pic.twitter.com/62hdztXxmO
WESTERN MICHIGAN CAN TASTE IT NOW. 6-2! pic.twitter.com/DOBmuhZYtd
That will certainly put the game away as Owen Michaels gets his second goal of the game.
HOLY HAKKARAINEN! 😱 @IiroHakkar22042 flips it in off the back of the goaltender to put the Broncos up 5-2! #MFrozenFour x 🎥 ESPN2 / @WMUHockey pic.twitter.com/lDaRbHD4mK
Another goal for the Western Michigan Broncos, and they may have just put the game away!
Iiro Hakkarainen gets the goal, and the WMU players look relieved as they celebrate.
Western Michigan is playing every puck, attacking, defending. They’re using every ounce of energy to win this game.
Pat Ferschweiler, Western Michigan head coach, going with short shifts the rest of the game.
WMU’s Alex Bump had two chances to score, including a one-on-two breakaway in which he slipped into the goal and was reminded a few times by his opponents as he lay on the ice.
His second chance was right before the media timeout, a shot that was deflected by Yegorov into the crowd.
Western Michigan is not letting up.
OWEN MICHAELS WITH A ROCKET!!!#BroncosReign pic.twitter.com/k7q2QDtVwr
The intensity is high and we’re only 10 minutes from a champion.
WMU IS BACK UP BY TWO
Owen Michaels takes it himself and rips it low blocker on the two-on-one! pic.twitter.com/6GshlloIgU
Owen Michaels scores for Western Michigan as the Broncos double their lead.
Joona Väisänen gets the assist.
WMU had slowed their attack for a bit before this goal, with BU constantly attacking Hampton Slukynsky and the freshman goaltender making every save.
Point-blank shot from Cole Eiserman is deflected by freshman goaltender Hampton Sluksynsky as WMU maintains their lead.
BU fiercely hacks at the puck to try and score as Hampton Slukynsky tries to save everything.
Refs blew the whistle while Cole Hutson thought he had scored. No goal on review.
CHAOS IN FRONT OF THE WMU NET pic.twitter.com/8sBzjByuD1
Here we go.
The second period was a wild one.
Both teams traded chances, with each team scoring a goal. Western struck first and put some distance between them and the Terriers with yet another rebound goal, but for the second time in the game, BU got a goal off of a puck that goalie Hampton Slukynsky didn’t fully trap.
The game is getting tighter, but both teams are still generating dangerous looks. Right now, BU seems to have the sharper goalie, but Slukynsky is battle-tested and could be tough to beat in the third.
This game has had just about everything you could want, and now WMU has 14 seconds left on their power play to start the third period.
The Broncos have to taste it a little bit, 20 minutes from their first national championship, but nothing is ever certain at the Frozen Four.
This will be a fantastic finish to a great hockey game.
There will be 14 more seconds of power play for WMU when the third period begins.
Two more goals scored in the second period for a total of five between both teams.
Just tapppp it innnn ⛳️🏒#MFrozenFour x @TerrierHockey pic.twitter.com/oKi7Bo9TC6
Two minutes for kneeing on Devin Kaplan.
Kaplin slammed into Iiro Hakkarainen knee-to-knee and the Finnish player was visibly shaken.
BU was assessed a two minute kneeing penalty on this play. pic.twitter.com/c0LqDb1szn
WMU kills off the two minute penalty.
Two minutes for slashing on Ty Henricks.
BU brings out their elite power-play unit again.
Five minutes left in the second period. It has been about as close a game as one can get in college hockey. These are elite teams.
WMU has certainly been the better overall team and the score reflects that, but BU being only one goal behind shows how fierce their performance has been.
Goal 3 is a nice one 😮💨#MFrozenFour x @WMUHockey pic.twitter.com/94rnYElDBc
BU CUTS THE LEAD IN HALF! pic.twitter.com/Zt4PXytGYg
Boston University gets their power-play goal. Big Shane Lachance scores of the faceoff. This goal is getting reviewed.
The goal is confirmed.
Two minutes for holding on Grant Slukynsky.
Boston University will have their best chance of the second period to score.
BU had 38 power-play goals during the regular season with a 28.4 percent power play percentage, good for fourth in the nation.
Western Michigan doubles their lead! pic.twitter.com/qNbiwTN2NQ
After the media timeout, the Broncos go out and after some nifty passing in front of the goal, Ty Henricks scores with Cam Knuble’s help.
Western Michigan have scored three goals through 26 minutes.
No goals so far in this second period, but Broncos have continued to attack. It’s certainly not lopsided, but WMU have been better at using their stamina and physicality to get up the ice.
Teams switch sides.
CR3!!!#BroncosReign pic.twitter.com/dy1gMiJ72r
Just to clarify.
No player for either team had more than two shots, which were WMU’s Cole Crusberg-Roseen and BU’s Cole Hutson.
Western Michigan did not shrink from the spotlight in their first-ever national championship game appearance. The Broncos have a 2-1 lead thanks to their hard-driving game that is keeping BU on its heels more than they’re used to.
That said, the Terriers have so much skill that they’re a threat to score in a blink if WMU makes a mistake. Traffic in front has been key to both teams’ first goals.
Western has been better on the interior in the game, but BU still has more to give there and I think they can find ways to break through.
This has been an especially entertaining game with two teams that clearly deserve to be here. It’s an incredible showcase of college hockey played at its highest level.
That was something. WMU leads 2-1 after 20 minutes, but it it certainly anyone’s game.
Western Michigan’s ability to get to the interior and make things uncomfortable for BU a major factor. Looking for high-slot plays, rebounds, crashing the net hard. They are playing to their identity to a tee.
What a wrister! 🚨 Cole Crusberg-Roseen puts the Broncos in the lead 2-1 with 4:59 left in the first period. #MFrozenFour x 🎥 ESPN2 / @WMUHockey pic.twitter.com/8KAevyGUYs
WMU offensive pressure overwhelms BU again as Cole Crusberg-Roseen scores.
It’s in the goal! @ColeEiserman34 ties it up for the Terriers 🐶#MFrozenFour x 🎥 ESPN2 / @TerrierHockey pic.twitter.com/1fry0q4PD1
After the initial WMU onslaught, Boston University has answered with a relentless offensive attack.
Cole Hutson and Cole Eiserman have been a big part of it.
HECK OF A TIME FOR YOUR 25TH OF THE SEASON, EISY!pic.twitter.com/6HMay3x1xC
Boston University successfully kills the Quinn Hutson penalty.
Two minutes for hooking on BU’s Quinn Hutson.
Unbelievable start to this game, less than 10 minutes in and both teams have scored.
Cole Eiserman is the last one to touch the puck after it was stuck into Hampton Slukynsky’s pads.
THE LAMP HAS BEEN LIT!#BroncosReign pic.twitter.com/cMsZbVDtCc
Schingo has us fired up in the 1st! #BroncosReign pic.twitter.com/fCU16Ryp7a
WHOA! Less than two minutes into the game, Wyatt Schingoethe with a major assist from Iiro Hakkarainen.
Here we go.
Game on in the #MFrozenFour National Championship between @WMUHockey and BU! 🫳⚫️
📺: ESPN2 / TSN2#NCHChockey // #BroncosReign pic.twitter.com/NJZYhTqEUk
The Boston University vs. Western Michigan game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN+ at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 12.
Getting the horsepower warmed up 🐎#MFrozenFour x @WMUHockey pic.twitter.com/LdxQxgprFD
Proud to represent our school and our city on the biggest stage. pic.twitter.com/wpY05pNKli
Threads looking fresh for the championship ⚪️🪡#NCHChockey // #BroncosReign pic.twitter.com/ga7mmmMfKX
The dogs are out 🐶#MFrozenFour x @TerrierHockey pic.twitter.com/wtWnSGLTQk
One final ride 🏇#MFrozenFour x @WMUHockey pic.twitter.com/HuUjow1z9f
Here’s the NCAA Hockey Tournament regional schedule and results.
Thursday, March 27
Friday, March 28
Saturday, March 29
Sunday, March 30
Thursday, April 10
Saturday, April 12
Western Michigan Broncos won the NCAA Frozen Four in 2025 by defeating Denver in the semifinals and Boston University in the final, to win their first NCAA Hockey Championship.
Western Michigan defeated Boston University 6-2 to win the 2025 NCAA Hockey Championship.
The Denver Pioneers won the 2024 Frozen Four Men’s Hockey Championship when they defeated Boston College hockey 2-0.
The Denver Pioneers hold the record for most NCAA Men’s Hockey Championships with 10. They won their most recent championship in 2024 when they defeated Boston College.
Denver was knocked out of this the 2025 NCAA Frozen Four by Western Michigan.
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