In a game that had every hockey fan on the edge of their seat, Western Michigan University achieved the unthinkable on Thursday night, defeating defending champions Denver in a heart-stopping double overtime, 3-2. The victory secured the Broncos’ place in their first-ever national championship game.
Owen Michaels Becomes a Hero for Western Michigan
It was a moment that will forever be etched in Kalamazoo hockey lore. With just 26 seconds into the second overtime period, Owen Michaels became the hero of the night, delivering the game-winning goal to propel the Broncos to their historic victory.
“I kind of blacked out a little bit,” Michaels reflected after the game. “It was kind of a little bit of a broken play, and I just saw the puck squirt out to me in the middle of the ice. I had some open time and space, and I just figured I’d put it in the net.”
This was Michaels’ second goal of the game, and it capped off a hard-fought contest that saw the Broncos dominate for much of the game. Despite early struggles, including a missed opportunity from freshman forward Zachary Nehring—who hit the crossbar with a wide-open net on the back post—the Broncos controlled the action.
Western Michigan’s Dominance Despite Denver’s Rally
The first period was a one-sided affair, with Western Michigan outshooting Denver 12-3. In the second period, the Broncos continued to apply pressure, outshooting their opponents 20-5.
Fifth-year defenseman Brian Kramer, the oldest player on the roster at 24 years old, opened the scoring for Western Michigan with a power-play goal that beat Denver goalie Matt Davis high. It was a significant moment as the Broncos marked their first-ever goal at the Frozen Four.
Minutes later, Michaels struck again, beating Davis once more to give Western Michigan a 2-0 lead going into the third period. However, the Pioneers weren’t going down without a fight.
Denver’s Gutsy Push and the Game-Tying Goals
Denver fought back in the third period, outshooting the Broncos 9-4. The Pioneers got on the board with a goal from Aidan Thompson, followed by a dramatic, game-tying goal late in the third period. A scramble in front of the crease led to a puck being jammed in by Jared Wright, with an assist from Eric Pohlkamp’s point shot. After a review to determine goaltender interference, the goal stood, sending the game into overtime.
But despite Denver’s late surge, it never truly felt like Western Michigan would let this game slip away. The Broncos kept pushing and finally found their moment in double overtime, sealing the win.
Zeev Buium’s Heroic Effort in Defeat
One of the standout performances of the night came from Denver’s Zeev Buium. The Hobey Baker finalist showed incredible heart despite being hobbled after a hit in the second period.
“I hate losing. I’m a competitor. I love this place more than anything in the world,” Buium said after the game. “For now, I’m going to spend time with my teammates, enjoy these days with them, and we’ll see what happens.”
Buium, expected to sign with the Minnesota Wild soon, provided a key zone entry to set up the tying goal and was a constant presence on the ice, even nearly scoring a game-winner for Denver in overtime.
Matt Davis Leaves a Legacy in Denver’s Net
While Denver may have fallen short, senior goaltender Matt Davis deserves recognition for his heroic efforts in the net. Known for his ability to perform in high-pressure moments, Davis stopped 44 shots, keeping Denver in the game despite being outshot 47-22. His consistent performance was crucial in getting Denver into overtime.
“Matt Davis is a heck of a goaltender. Not too fun playing against him. His resume speaks for itself. He’s a winner,” Michaels praised Davis after the game.
Pat Ferschweiler’s Mastery in Building Western Michigan’s Winning Program
Since taking the helm at Western Michigan in 2021, head coach Pat Ferschweiler has turned the Broncos into a national powerhouse. With a focus on building a balanced, strong team that plays with precision and grit, Ferschweiler has led the Broncos to their first-ever national championship game after guiding them through a series of impressive victories.
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