In its 50th season as a Division I men's hockey program, Western Michigan is the NCAA champion for the first time. The only top-four seed to advance to the Frozen Four,
the Broncos defeated Boston University 6-2 Saturday night at St. Louis to win the school's first national title in any sport since 1965, when the men's cross-country team won it all. Owen Michaels' unassisted goal on a 2-on-1 breakaway at 7:16 of the third period gave Western Michigan a 4-2 lead after several minutes of sustained pressure by BU, pushing for the tying goal, went for naught thanks to the stellar play of Broncos goalie Hampton Slukynsky (24 saves). After that, the Terriers were not a threat. Michaels, who added an empty-net goal, had four goals in the Frozen Four, including the winner in double overtime over Denver in the semifinals, and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Prior to Pat Ferschweiler becoming coach four seasons ago, Western Michigan had just six NCAA tournament appearances since joining Division I in hockey in 1975-76, failing to win a single game. Under Ferschweiler, the Broncos have made the NCAAs four straight years, advancing to the Frozen Four for the first time this season, and capping their run with the national championship. Western Michigan controlled play for much of the first two periods, but led just 3-2 after BU scored a power-play goal by Shane Lachance midway through the second period. The Terriers scored seven power-play goals in their last eight games. The Broncos' scoring depth was on display throughout the tournament and in particular Saturday night. None of their top seven goal-scorers lit the lamp as they built a 3-1 lead. Wyatt Schingoethe scored his fifth goal of the season and Cole Crusberg-Roseen scored his third in the first period, then Ty Henricks made it 3-1 at 5:17 of the second with his eighth goal of the season. Excluding the initial NCAA tournament in 1948, Western Michigan is the fourth team to win the national title in its Frozen Four debut, the first since Lake Superior State in 1988. Below are the results for entire tournament, plus highlights from the Frozen Four games, features of the top storylines of the tournament and a look at each of the 16 teams.
Schedule
Highlights
Owen Michaels scores to put Western Michigan's lead back up to two goals. Shane Lachance pulls Boston University within a goal after fighting in the crease for the score in the second period. Jack Hughes scores to give Boston University a 1-0 lead over Penn State. Cole Eiserman scores to give Boston University a 2-0 lead over Penn State. Owen Michaels nets an overtime winner, his second goal of the game, to send Western Michigan to the NCAA Frozen Four championship game. Denver's Jared Wright pokes the puck past the goalie to help the Pioneers tie the score late in the third period.
Tournament storylines
It's been 18 years since Maine hockey's last Frozen Four appearance, but as John Buccigross reports, a resurgence up in Orono has the Black Bears sights set on a return to St. Louis. Jen Lada profiles the Spartans' superstar goaltender, Trey Augustine, focusing on his relationship with his inspiration and namesake. Jeremy Schaap reports on how the Eagles are honoring the legacies of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
Teams at a glance
Toledo Regional
PairWise rating: No. 2
History lesson: This is Michigan State's 29th NCAA appearance. The Spartans have been to the Frozen Four 11 times and have won three national titles, the last in 2007. Michigan State lost to Michigan in the regional finals last season, which was its first time in the tournament since 2012.
History lesson: This is BU's 40th NCAA appearance, including three of the past four years. The Terriers have been to the Frozen Four 24 times and have won five national titles, the last in 2009. The Terriers lost in overtime to Denver in the national semifinals last season, the second straight year they lost in the national semis.
History lesson: This is Ohio State's 12th NCAA appearance and its second in three years. The Buckeyes have been to the Frozen Four twice, most recently in 2018, and have never won the national title.
History lesson: This is Cornell's 27th NCAA appearance, including the past three years in a row. The Big Red have been to the Frozen Four eight times and have won the national championship twice, most recently in 1970. Cornell lost to Denver in the regional finals last season.
Fargo Regional
History lesson: This is Western Michigan's 10th NCAA appearance, including the past four years. The Broncos lost in overtime to Michigan State in the first round last season, falling to 1-10 all time in NCAA tournament play.
History lesson: This is Minnesota's 42nd NCAA appearance, including the past five years. The Gophers have been to the Frozen Four 23 times and have won five national titles, the last in 2003. Minnesota lost to Boston University in the regional finals last season.
History lesson: This is UMass' seventh NCAA appearance, including five of the past six tournaments. The Minutemen have been to the Frozen Four twice and won one national title, in 2021. UMass lost to Denver in double overtime in the first round of last year's tournament.
History lesson: This is Minnesota State's 12th NCAA appearance, including six of the last seven tournaments. The Mavericks have been to the Frozen Four twice and are still looking for their first national championship. Minnesota State didn't make the tournament last year and lost to St. Cloud State in the first round in 2023.
Manchester Regional
History lesson: This is BC's 39th NCAA appearance. The Eagles have been to the Frozen Four 26 times and have won five national titles, the last in 2012. BC lost to Denver 2-0 in last year's championship game after not making the tournament the previous two years.
History lesson: This is Providence's 16th NCAA appearance, its first since 2019. The Friars have been to the Frozen Four five times and won the national title once, in 2015.
History lesson: This is Denver's 34th NCAA appearance, including 15 of the past 16 tournaments. The Pios have been to the Frozen Four 18 times and won 10 national titles, the most ever. Denver beat BC for the national championship last season, its second title in three years.
History lesson: This is Bentley's first NCAA appearance in the program's 26th season in Division I and the second year with Andy Jones as coach. The Falcons have set a school record for victories and are enjoying their first winning season since 2020.
Allentown Regional
History lesson: This is Maine's 21st NCAA appearance. The Black Bears have been to the Frozen Four 11 times and have won two national titles, the last in 1999. Maine lost to Cornell in the first round last season, its first tournament appearance since 2012.
History lesson: This is UConn's first NCAA appearance in the program's 27 years in Division I. The Huskies set a school record for wins as a Div. 1 team in Mike Cavanaugh's 11th season at the helm.
History lesson: This is Quinnipiac's 11th NCAA appearance, including each of the last six tournaments. The Bobcats have been to the Frozen Four three times and won one national title, in 2023. Quinnipiac lost to Boston College in overtime in the regional finals last season.
History lesson: This is Penn State's fifth NCAA appearance. In 2023, the Nittany Lions lost in the regional finals to Michigan in overtime. Penn State has never been to the Frozen Four.
