Western Michigan wins in 2OT, Advances to First-Ever National Championship Game

ST. LOUIS, MO – April 11, 2025 – In a heart-stopping Frozen Four semifinal, the Western Michigan Broncos etched their name into college hockey history, defeating the defending national champion Denver Pioneers 3-2 in double overtime. The victory, sealed by a bar-down goal from Owen Michaels just 26 seconds into the second overtime period, propels the Broncos to their first-ever NCAA national championship game.

The game was a showcase of resilience and grit for Western Michigan, who were making their inaugural appearance in the Frozen Four. Facing a Denver squad with nine national titles and a reputation for clutch performances, the Broncos refused to back down. The matchup was the second double-overtime battle between these teams in a month, underscoring the razor-thin margin separating them.

Western Michigan struck first in the opening period, capitalizing on a Denver defensive lapse. Michaels, who would later become the hero, fired a wrist shot past Pioneers goaltender Matt Davis to give the Broncos a 1-0 lead. Denver responded in the second period, tying the game on a power-play goal by Tristan Broz, who redirected a pinpoint pass from Zeev Buium. The teams traded blows in a tense third period, with Western Michigan’s Luke Grainger restoring their lead at 2-1, only for Denver’s Carter King to equalize with under five minutes remaining, forcing overtime.

The first overtime solved nothing, despite a flurry of chances at both ends. Western Michigan goaltender Cameron Rowe stood tall, turning away 14 shots in the extra frames, including a breakaway by Denver’s Massimo Rizzo that had the Scottrade Center crowd holding its breath. Then, in the opening moments of double overtime, Michaels found himself with the puck at the top of the slot. With a quick deke to shake a defender, he rifled a shot over Davis’ shoulder, sending the Broncos’ bench into pandemonium and igniting their fans in the stands.

“This is what we dreamed about,” Michaels said post-game, still clutching the puck he retrieved from the net. “We knew Denver was a powerhouse, but we believed in ourselves. This team has heart, and we’re not done yet.”

Head coach Pat Ferschweiler, in his fourth season at the helm, couldn’t hide his pride. “These guys have fought through everything—doubts, tough losses, you name it. To see them come together like this, it’s special. But we’ve got one more to go.”

The win marks a remarkable turnaround for a program that, just a few years ago, was struggling to make noise in the NCHC. After regional losses in recent tournaments, the Broncos broke through this season, claiming their first NCHC title and now punching their ticket to the national championship game. They’ll face the winner of the other semifinal between Boston College and Michigan, with the title game set for Sunday.

For Denver, the loss ends their bid for back-to-back championships. “It stings,” said Pioneers coach David Carle. “We gave everything, but credit to Western Michigan—they earned it. That’s a heck of a hockey team.”

As Kalamazoo prepares to rally behind its Broncos, the hockey world is buzzing about Western Michigan’s improbable run. Can they cap it off with a championship? One thing’s certain: this team has already made history.

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