Sports
Men’s Frozen Four: Western Michigan drills BU to win first national title
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.
Jump to a section:
Frozen Four highlights
Top storylines | Teams at a glance
Schedule
All times Eastern
Toledo (Ohio) Regional
Semifinals, March 27
Boston University 8, Ohio State 3
Cornell 4, Michigan State 3
Final, March 29
Boston University 3, Cornell 2 (OT)
Boston University wins Toledo Regional
Fargo (N.D.) Regional
Semifinals, March 27
Western Michigan 2, Minnesota State 1 (2 OT)
UMass 5, Minnesota 4 (OT)
Final, March 29
Western Michigan 2, UMass 1
Western Michigan wins Fargo Regional
Manchester (N.H.) Regional
Semifinals, March 28
Boston College 3, Bentley 1
Denver 5, Providence 1
Final, March 30
Denver 3, Boston College 1
Denver wins Manchester Regional
Allentown (Penn.) Regional
Semifinals, March 28
UConn 4, Quinnipiac 1
Penn State 5, Maine 1
Final, March 30
Penn State 3, UConn 2 (OT)
Penn State wins Allentown Regional
FROZEN FOUR
at Enterprise Center, St. Louis
National semifinals, April 10
Western Michigan 3, Denver 2 (2 OT)
Boston University 3, Penn State 1
National championship game, April 12
Western Michigan 6, Boston University 2
Highlights
WESTERN MICHIGAN-BU
0:41
Owen Michaels nets goal to widen Broncos’ lead
Owen Michaels scores to put Western Michigan’s lead back up to two goals.
0:39
Shane Lachance gives Terriers life with ‘greasy’ goal vs. Western Michigan
Shane Lachance pulls Boston University within a goal after fighting in the crease for the score in the second period.
BU-PENN STATE
0:35
Jack Hughes gives Boston University early lead
Jack Hughes scores to give Boston University a 1-0 lead over Penn State.
0:46
Cole Eiserman doubles Terriers’ lead
Cole Eiserman scores to give Boston University a 2-0 lead over Penn State.
WESTERN MICHIGAN-DENVER
0:59
Owen Michaels’ OT winner sends Western Michigan to title game
Owen Michaels nets an overtime winner, his second goal of the game, to send Western Michigan to the NCAA Frozen Four championship game.
0:52
Jared Wright ties the score late for Denver
Denver’s Jared Wright pokes the puck past the goalie to help the Pioneers tie the score late in the third period.
Tournament storylines
‘Till the rafters ring’: Maine’s resurgence has its fans believing again
Once a perennial power, the Black Bears fought through tragedy and tough times to be a Frozen Four contender 25 years after their last national title. Read more
8:17
The Maine awakening
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.
‘Have fun out there’: A simple message keeps Trey Augustine on his game
The Spartans goaltender, who hopes to lead his team to its first national title since 2007, recalls his late grandfather’s words every time he steps on the ice. Read more
6:13
The legacy and lineage of Trey Augustine
Jen Lada profiles the Spartans’ superstar goaltender, Trey Augustine, focusing on his relationship with his inspiration and namesake.
Top seed Boston College plays with Gaudreaus, Voce close to hearts
Three former Eagles — Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Gaudreau and Tony Voce — died this past summer. This year’s team, which has been No. 1 in the country most of the season, looks to win a national championship in their memory. Read more
9:44
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau forever BC hockey family
Jeremy Schaap reports on how the Eagles are honoring the legacies of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
Roundtable: Teams and players to watch, plus Frozen Four picks
Are BC and Michigan State on a collision course for a title game matchup? What lower seed will be the toughest out? And who will make it to St. Louis? Andrew Raycroft and Sean Ritchlin break it all down. Read more
Teams at a glance
(Statistics entering NCAA tournament)
Toledo Regional
Record: 26-6-4
PairWise rating: No. 2
How the Spartans got here: Big Ten champion
Last 10 games: 6-3-1
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.
Record: 21-13-2
PairWise rating: 7
How the Terriers got here: At-large bid
Last 10 games: 6-3-1 (lost Hockey East semifinal to UConn)
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.
Record: 24-13-2
PairWise rating: 10
How the Buckeyes got here: At-large bid
Last 10 games: 5-5 (lost Big Ten final to Michigan State)
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.
Record: 18-10-6
PairWise rating: 17
How the Big Red got here: ECAC champion
Last 10 games: 8-2
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
Record: 30-7-1
PairWise rating: 4
How the Broncos got here: NCHC champion
Last 10 games: 8-2
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.
Record: 25-10-4
PairWise rating: 5
How the Golden Gophers got here: At-large bid
Last 10 games: 5-4-1 (lost Big Ten quarterfinal series to Notre Dame)
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.
Record: 20-13-5
PairWise rating: 11
How the Minutemen got here: At-large bid
Last 10 games: 5-2-3 (lost Hockey East quarterfinal to BU in overtime)
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.
Record: 27-8-3
PairWise rating: 14
How the Mavericks got here: CCHA champion
Last 10 games: 9-0-1
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
Record: 26-7-2
PairWise rating: 1
How the Eagles got here: At-large bid
Last 10 games: 6-3-1 (lost Hockey East quarterfinal to Northeastern)
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.
Record: 21-10-5
PairWise rating: 8
How the Friars got here: At-large bid
Last 10 games: 5-4-1 (lost Hockey East quarterfinal to UConn)
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.
Record: 29-11-1
PairWise rating: 9
How the Pioneers got here: At-large bid
Last 10 games: 7-3 (lost NCHC final to Western Michigan in double overtime)
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.
Record: 23-14-2
PairWise rating: 22
How the Falcons got here: Atlantic champion
Last 10 games: 8-2
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
Record: 24-7-6
PairWise rating: 3
How the Black Bears got here: Hockey East champion
Last 10 games: 6-2-2
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.
Record: 22-11-4
PairWise rating: 6
How the Huskies got here: At-large bid
Last 10 games: 8-1-1 (lost Hockey East final to Maine)
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.
Record: 24-11-2
PairWise ranking: 12
How the Bobcats got here: At-large bid
Last 10 games: 7-3 (lost ECAC semifinal to Cornell in overtime)
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.
Record: 20-13-4
PairWise rating: 13
How the Nittany Lions got here: At-large bid
Last 10 games: 7-2-1 (lost Big Ten semifinal to Ohio State in overtime)
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.