BU and Western Michigan Clash for NCAA Hockey Championship

ST. LOUIS — Boston University and Western Michigan face off in an NCAA men’s hockey championship game on Saturday night, marking a rare encounter between the two programs. Despite meeting only four times before, anticipation is high as both teams vie for the title.

Western Michigan head coach Pat Ferschweiler expressed confidence in his preparation, noting his familiarity with Boston University’s playing style, akin to that of the Boston Bruins during his previous tenure in the NHL. “I pre-scouted BU for years. Their style of play is exactly what Boston did,” Ferschweiler stated. “Certainly coach [Jay] Pandolfo has brought that style down. It’s somewhat unique to college.”

Ferschweiler, who has previous coaching experience with the Detroit Red Wings, highlighted the importance of adapting without straying from their own game plan. “We have a good idea what they’re trying to accomplish. We’re going to put points of emphasis on what we try to do every day without trying to change our style of play at all,” he added.

On the other side, Pandolfo has been closely observing the Broncos, praising their performance. “Western plays a pro-style game. They’re above the puck. They do a really good job,” he said. The last competition between Boston University and Western Michigan occurred during the first round of the NCAA tournament two years ago, when the Terriers emerged as the victors, 5-1.

This season, the Broncos have shown their prowess by securing both the NCHC regular-season and postseason titles. They have advanced to the championship by defeating Minnesota State and Boston University reached the Frozen Four by overcoming Penn State.

In a matchup characterized by offensive talent, Western Michigan leads the nation with an average of 3.9 goals per game, closely followed by BU at 3.8. The teams feature standout players, including BU junior Quinn Hutson, who leads his team with 50 points, and Western Michigan sophomore Alex Bump, with 47 points.

BU’s goaltender Mikhail Yegorov has been pivotal since taking over in January, showcasing a record of 11 wins and a goals-against average of 1.98. “The belief in our players has grown throughout the season, even despite past losses,” Ferschweiler remarked, reflecting on his team’s journey and competitive spirit.

The championship game promises to showcase intense competition and high stakes for both teams, with fans eagerly awaiting the outcome.