Western plays in the NCAA Final against Boston University
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Owen Michaels delivered a double overtime winner on Thursday night at the Enterprise Center to push Western Michigan into the NCAA National Championship game. The Broncos earned a 3-2 victory over Denver to collect their program-best 33rd win of the season.
Michaels tallied two goals in the game, while Brian Kramer had the other. In net, Hampton Slukynsky was dominant, stopping 20 shots to get his 18th win of the season. The Brown and Gold have won each of the last four games by one goal and are currently on a nine-game winning streak going into Saturday’s national title game.
FIRST PERIOD
WMU came out firing in the opening few minutes, nearly taking an early lead. Zach Nehring rang a shot off the crossbar just over a minute into the game. Liam Valente then had a shot barely saved by DU goaltender Matt Davis.
However, Western Michigan would get the first power play of the night with under 10 to play in the opening period. The Brown and Gold would get five shots on the man advantage, but Davis stopped them all to help Denver return to full strength.
Down the stretch, the Broncos would get four more shots on net. But nothing would light the lamp, and the two teams went to the second frame tied at 0-0.
SECOND PERIOD
The Brown and Gold killed off an early slashing penalty to keep the score tied. A few moments after that, Denver was sent off for holding. Thanks to a faceoff win from Tim Washe, the Broncos were able to cash in. Kramer rifled a shot from the point and found the back of the net to make it 1-0 WMU.
Following that, Western Michigan kept its foot on the gas, getting good chances from Wyatt Schingoethe and Grant Slukynsky. With about five minutes left, though, the Broncos would pad the lead with a snipe from Michaels over the shoulder of Davis.
Now leading 2-0, WMU was given a hooking penalty with under four minutes to play in the middle frame. The Brown and Gold actually got two shots on net during the Pioneers’ man advantage. The Broncos got back to full strength and went to the third period with a two-goal advantage.
THIRD PERIOD
Denver was given a high sticking penalty early in the third frame, but nothing came of the chance for the Broncos. DU would get on the board a little bit after the Broncos’ power play to make the score 2-1.
After some back-and-forth action, DU would tally another goal to tie the game with under three minutes to play in regulation. Kramer had one last chance to end the period, but his shot went wide of the net. The two teams played into overtime.
OVERTIME
Cole Crusberg-Roseen got the first shot on net in overtime, nearly beating Davis to win the game. A little bit later, Alex Bump and Michaels tried their luck on net, but the Pioneers were able to clear the puck away from trouble.
In the middle of the frame, a pass was thrown toward the net, causing a scramble out in front. The Broncos swung at the puck, but the referees eventually blew the play dead. Down the stretch, Iiro Hakkarainen would get two more looks on net. Davis would stop both chances, sending the game to double overtime.
Denver won the opening faceoff in the second overtime, but WMU quickly gained possession and worked into the zone. Matteo Costantini slid a pass to Michaels and he beat Davis to push the Broncos into the National Championship game on Saturday night. The goal came 26 seconds into the second overtime session.
