Western Michigan Broncos and Boston University Terriers Set for Epic Frozen Four Showdown
As the 2025 men’s Frozen Four reaches its thrilling climax, the stage is set for a showdown between two formidable teams: the Western Michigan Broncos, champions of the NCHC, and the Boston University Terriers, representing Hockey East. This matchup promises to be a nail-biter, with both teams having fought tooth and nail to reach this point.
In the first semifinal on Thursday, the reigning national champion Denver Pioneers saw their hopes of defending their title dashed. The Pioneers were edged out by Western Michigan in a heart-stopping 3-2 double-overtime victory. This win was particularly sweet for the Broncos, who had previously defeated Denver in double overtime during the NCHC championship game. The two teams had split their regular-season meetings, making this victory even more significant for Western Michigan.
Meanwhile, the Boston University Terriers finally broke their semifinal curse. After falling short in the national semifinals for the past two years, BU triumphed over Penn State with a 3-1 victory, securing their spot in the title game. The Terriers’ perseverance paid off, and they are now just one win away from claiming the national championship.
The highly anticipated national title game will take place at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN2 or stream it on ESPN+.
Interestingly, Western Michigan is the only one of the top four overall seeds to make it to the Frozen Four this year. This marks the first time since 2011 that only one of the top four seeds has advanced this far. Boston College, Michigan State, and Maine were all eliminated during regional play, leaving the Broncos as the sole top seed standing.
When it comes to NHL talent, the Frozen Four teams boast a combined 38 drafted players. Boston University leads the pack with 14 drafted players, followed by Denver with 13, Western Michigan with eight, and Penn State with three.
Let’s take a closer look at what each team needs to do to clinch the national title, with insights from ESPN college hockey analysts Colby Cohen and Andrew Raycroft, as well as key statistics from ESPN research.
Western Michigan (33-7-1)
How the Broncos got here: Western Michigan came out strong against Denver, dominating the first 40 minutes and holding a 2-0 lead with a 32-8 shot advantage. However, the Pioneers mounted a comeback in the third period, tying the game 2-2 with just 2:39 left in regulation. After a scoreless overtime, the Broncos clinched the win 26 seconds into double OT, thanks to Owen Michaels’ second goal of the game.
Regional recap: As the top seed in the Fargo Regional, Western Michigan faced a tough challenge against Minnesota State, ultimately winning 2-1 in double overtime with a goal from Grant Slukynsky. They then defeated UMass 2-1, overcoming a 1-0 deficit with power-play goals from Liam Valente and Tim Washe during a five-minute major penalty. The Broncos also had to kill off a five-minute major of their own to secure the victory.
Numbers to know: Western Michigan is making its first trip to the Frozen Four, and they are aiming to become only the fourth team to win the national title in their debut, following Denver in 1958, Cornell in 1967, and Lake Superior State in 1988. The Broncos have set a team record with 33 wins and are currently on a nine-game winning streak, the longest active streak in the nation. They are one of the most balanced teams in the country, averaging 3.95 goals per game (second only to Denver’s 4.00) while allowing just 2.05 goals per game, the fourth fewest in the nation. Goaltender Hampton Slukynsky has been a standout, entering the Frozen Four with a 0.82 goals-against average, the best among all tournament goalies. He held Denver to two goals over 80:34 in the semifinal win.
How Western Michigan can win the national title:
- Forward depth delivers: The Broncos boast impressive depth, with little drop-off from the first line to the fourth. They will need to utilize all four lines to wear down the Terriers.
- Hampton Slukynsky stands on his head: The freshman goaltender has been a key player for Western Michigan, stopping 28 of 29 shots in both games in Fargo and making 20 saves against Denver. As a Los Angeles Kings draft pick, Slukynsky has an 18-5-1 record and will need to be at his best for the Broncos to claim the trophy.
Player to watch: Liam Valente. The Swedish winger was instrumental in Fargo, contributing to three of his team’s four goals. He has a powerful shot and will need to find ways to utilize it effectively. Valente had six shots against Denver, although none resulted in a goal. — Andrew Raycroft
Boston University (24-13-2)
How the Terriers got here: After a cautious first period against Penn State, BU took control in the second. Jack Hughes opened the scoring at 1:35, capitalizing on a mistake by Nittany Lions goalie Arsenii Sergeev. Midway through the period, Cole Hutson and Cole Eiserman executed a beautiful 2-on-1 break, with Hutson setting up Eiserman for a goal to make it 2-0. Penn State responded in the third period, cutting BU’s lead in half, but Mikhail Yegorov’s 32 saves kept the Terriers ahead. Jack Harvey sealed the win with an empty-net goal.
Regional recap: As the No. 2 seed in the Toledo Regional, BU overwhelmed Ohio State with six unanswered goals, securing an 8-3 victory. They then advanced to their third consecutive Frozen Four appearance with a 3-2 overtime win against No. 4 seed Cornell, thanks to Quinn Hutson’s goal 6:25 into overtime. Freshman Mikhail Yegorov made 37 saves in his 16th career game.
Numbers to know: BU’s victory over Penn State marked their 50th win in NCAA tournament play, making them the fifth program to reach this milestone, joining Minnesota (62), Michigan (59), North Dakota (53), and Boston College (53). BU coach Jay Pandolfo has an impressive 10-0 record in NCAA regional games as both a head coach and player, resulting in seven Frozen Four appearances. Pandolfo is the third Division I men’s hockey coach to reach the Frozen Four in each of his first three seasons, joining Doug Woog (Minnesota) and Dave Hakstol (North Dakota). Despite their recent success, the Terriers haven’t reached the national title game since 2015. This is BU’s 12th championship game appearance, tied for third most all time. Brothers Quinn and Cole Hutson are BU’s top two scorers this season (Quinn 50 points, Cole 47), with Cole leading in NCAA tournament play with seven points. Cole’s 33 assists are tied for the most by a BU freshman over the last 10 seasons with his brother Lane, who had 33 in 2022-23.
How BU can win the national title:
- Create off the rush: BU is known for its dynamic offensive play, excelling in creating opportunities off the rush. The Terriers are fast and effective in transition, but they will face a tough challenge against Western Michigan’s physicality.
- Take care of the house: While BU isn’t typically known for its defense, they have shown improvement in recent games, limiting second and third chances against Cornell and Penn State. Goalie Mikhail Yegorov is reliable for stopping the first shot, so if BU can maintain strong defensive play, they have a great chance to win the championship.
Player to watch: Cole Hutson. Cole is one of the most dynamic players in college hockey, with poise and offensive instincts reminiscent of his brother Lane, a BU alum and current Montreal Canadiens player. Cole thrives in big moments, and it will be exciting to see what he brings to the national title game. — Colby Cohen
Originally Written by: ESPN
