By Jeff Roberson, AP

Western Michigan emerged victorious in a thrilling double-overtime match against defending champions Denver, with a final score of 3-2. The game was held at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis on April 10, 2025.

The Broncos secured their spot in the championship game for the first time in program history. Owen Michaels scored the decisive goal just 26 seconds into the second overtime, sealing a memorable win for the Broncos.

This semifinal was indeed a nail-biter, as Western Michigan initially took a commanding 2-0 lead before finding themselves tied late in the game, thanks to Jared Wright’s equalizer for the Pioneers.

Western Michigan will face Boston University, which triumphed over Penn State with a score of 3-1 in the other semifinal, on Saturday evening.

In the lead-up to his championship match, Michaels remarked, ‘I was in the middle of the ice and had some open time and space and figured I’d put it on net. And pretty happy it went in.’

Brian Kramer also contributed a goal for Western Michigan, while the Broncos’ goaltender, freshman Hampton Slukynsky, made an impressive 20 saves during the match.

The victory pushes Western Michigan’s winning streak to nine games, setting a record for the team with 33 wins in the season.

Despite their loss, Denver’s goaltender Matt Davis showcased a powerful performance with 44 saves.

Western Michigan’s head coach Pat Ferschweiler expressed pride in his team for maintaining their focus and resolve despite the tense circumstances, stating, ‘It’s a focused group. They never lose belief in themselves.’

The championship game will take place at the Enterprise Center, and it promises to be an exciting matchup as both teams vie for the prestigious title. Fans are eager to witness a historic showdown between these formidable programs.