Boston University Faces Western Michigan in Epic NCAA Championship Showdown

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — In a highly anticipated clash, Boston University and Western Michigan University are set to battle for the NCAA Frozen Four Championship on Saturday at the Enterprise Center. The Terriers, who have not claimed a national title since 2009, will face the Broncos, who are vying for their first-ever championship.

The matchup comes after both teams triumphed in thrilling semifinal games on Thursday. Boston University defeated Penn State 3-1, while Western Michigan edged the defending champions, Denver, 3-2 in double overtime.

Ryan Greene, a junior center for Boston University and a second-round pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2022 NHL Draft, expressed his excitement over returning for another shot at the championship. “It was an option (to turn pro), but I felt like the best thing for me was to come back and play another year,” Greene said. “Obviously, losing those two Frozen Four games back-to-back years leaves a little bit of a sour taste in your mouth.”

Boston University (24-13-2), with 14 NHL prospects on their roster, showcased their experience and skill in the semifinal, claiming victory after scoring three goals from different players. “The fact we were able to get over the hump and win that semifinal game… it’s the best possible scenario,” Greene noted.

Western Michigan (33-7-1), making its first Frozen Four appearance, showcased resilience in its semifinal against Denver, surviving an intense third-period rally. Coach Pat Ferschweiler commended his team’s performance: “I thought our team responded with belief and execution in that overtime. We deserved the win.”

The Broncos claimed victory on a thrilling goal scored by Owen Michaels just 16 seconds into the second overtime. “It was kind of a little bit of a broken play, just saw the puck squirt out to me… figured I’d put it on net,” Michaels said. His performance was critical, as he ended a 14-game scoring drought, bringing his season tally to 16 goals.

Boston University’s roster includes notable NHL prospects such as Shane LaChance (New Jersey Devils) and Cole Eiserman (New York Islanders), both poised to make an impact in the championship game. Eiserman, who leads the team with 24 goals, expressed the team’s passion for victory: “We want to win a national championship. Just thinking about having the opportunity to do that… is exciting.”

The championship game provides an intriguing tactical matchup. Boston University coach Jay Pandolfo emphasized the need for his team to maintain focus on their play: “It’s about winning your battles. It’s about all the little things that go into winning hockey games.”

Western Michigan’s NHL prospects, including Alex Bump (Philadelphia Flyers) and Hampton Slukynsky (Los Angeles Kings), aim to leverage their youth and tenacity in this high-stakes environment.

As anticipation builds for the championship game, fans can expect a fierce contest between two teams eager to make history. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2, with both teams motivated to leave everything on the ice.