Michaels lifts Western Michigan to 3-2 2OT Frozen Four semifinal win over defending champion Denver
Byline: John Wawrow
Western Michigan's Wyatt Schingoethe (18) and teammate Tristan Lemyre celebrate a double overtime victory over Denver in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Original Publication Date: April 10, 2025 7:09PM
Publication Updated: April 11, 2025 7:16AM
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Owen Michaels scored his second goal 26 seconds into the second overtime and Western Michigan beat defending champion Denver 3-2 on Thursday night to advance to its first Frozen Four title game.
Brian Kramer also scored and freshman Hampton Slukynsky stopped 20 shots for a veteran-laden Western Michigan team making its Frozen Four debut in its 10th NCAA tournament appearance. The Broncos (33-7-1) set a single-season record for victories, extended their winning streak to nine and won after blowing a 2-0 third-period lead.
Western Michigan will face the Boston University-Penn State winner in the championship game Saturday night.
Jared Wright, with the tying goal with 2:39 left in regulation, and Aidan Thompson scored, and Matt Davis had 44 saves for Denver (31-12-1). The Pioneers, who have won a tournament-leading 10 titles and two in the previous three years, failed in their bid to become the NCAA’s ninth team to repeat as champions, and first since Minnesota-Duluth in 2018 and 2019.
Michaels’ deciding goal came on a rush into the Denver zone with Matteo Costantini driving up the right wing and sweeping the puck into the middle. Michaels accepted the pass and roofed a shot over Davis’ right shoulder.
Western Michigan’s Wyatt Schingoethe (18) celebrates a double overtime victory over Denver in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men’s college hockey tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The loss could potentially be Pioneers defenseman and Hobey Baker award finalist Zeev Buium’s final college game. The sophomore leads NCAA defensemen this season with 48 points, and has yet to discuss his future after being selected 12th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the NHL.
Except for the outcome, the game was reminiscent of the NCHC rival’s last meeting in the conference tournament championship last month. That time, Western Michigan rallied from a three-goal, third-period deficit in a 4-3 2OT win.
The Broncos dominated much of the game with Michaels and Kramer scoring second-period goals and Western Michigan having a 32-8 edge in shots.
Western Michigan goaltender Hampton Slukynsky (30) and teammate Wyatt Schingoethe (18) celebrate a double overtime victory over Denver in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men’s college hockey tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)Members of Western Michigan celebrate their victory as Denver’s Jared Wright, left, kneels on the ice following in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men’s college hockey tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)Denver’s Jared Wright reacts to a double overtime loss to Western Michigan in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men’s college hockey tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)Western Michigan goaltender Hampton Slukynsky (30) stops a shot from Denver’s Jared Wright (18) during the second period in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men’s college hockey tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)Western Michigan’s Tim Washe, left, and Denver’s Jack Devine (4) chase after a loose puck during the second period in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men’s college hockey tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)Western Michigan’s Ty Henricks (17) shoots past Denver’s Zeev Buium (28) during the first period in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men’s college hockey tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)Denver’s Rieger Lorenz (14) scores past Western Michigan goaltender Hampton Slukynsky (30) during the third period in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men’s college hockey tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)Denver’s Aidan Thompson celebrates after scoring during the third period in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men’s college hockey tournament against Western Michigan, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)Denver’s Aidan Thompson (7) handles the puck as Western Michigan’s Cole Crusberg-Roseen (3) defends during the second period in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men’s college hockey tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)Denver’s Kieran Cebrian (24) is unable to score past Western Michigan goaltender Hampton Slukynsky (30) during the first overtime in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men’s college hockey tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)The puck slips past Western Michigan’s Owen Michaels (34) as Denver goaltender Matt Davis defends during the first period in a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men’s college hockey tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in St. Louis (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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