Summarize and humanize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in EnglishST. LOUIS — As Owen Michaels’ championship-game sealing empty netter went in late in Thursday’s third period, the Western Michigan forward raced to the bench and jumped over the boards.The rest of the Broncos joined Michaels as he let out a primal scream.“I’m not too sure what I was screaming,” Michaels said. “But tons of emotions. That goal wasn’t about me one bit. It was about this team and this group doing something this program has never done. I just wanted to be with the guys.”The gesture was fitting. While Michaels’ two goals lifted the Broncos to their first national title in program history (in their first Frozen Four appearance), the 6-2 victory over Boston University was a complete team effort. Alex Bump, the team’s biggest star and Flyers-bound forward, was kept without a goal in the last two games. There were three goals by the bottom six on Saturday to help beat the Terriers, who were in their third straight Frozen Four and first title game since 2015.“You’re proud to get here, but you want to finish the job,” said Terriers coach Jay Pandolfo, who won a title at Boston University as a player. “So it hurts. I really feel for our players more than anything else because it’s hard, and it’s special to win this thing.“I want to see those guys experience that. And we’re going to keep knocking on the door.”Western Michigan coach Pat Ferschweiler, a former Broncos captain, takes a lot of pride in bringing the program to the next level. And he’ll likely draw some interest for NHL openings this offseason, like Denver’s David Carle. The Broncos eliminated the defending champion Pioneers 3-2 in double overtime on Thursday, with Carle saying afterward. “They’ve shown they’re the best team in the country.”“We said at the start of the year, it’s special,” said Western Michigan captain Tim Washe, who is drawing interest from several NHL teams as a free agent. “And we wanted to prove that.”
Fought until the end, taking home the crown 👑#MFrozenFour x @WMUHockey pic.twitter.com/OEprfs7CVr
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 13, 2025This was a close game into the third period, with the Broncos entering with a 3-2 lead. Wyatt Schingoethe started it off two minutes into the game on a slick deflection. Cole Eiserman answered for Boston University by stuffing in a rebound. After taking a 3-1 lead, Western Michigan goalie Hampton Slukynsky gave up a second goal on a loose rebound in the crease.But Slukynsky came up big when the Broncos needed it, sliding over to make a stellar save on an Eiserman one-timer five minutes into the third. It was another beauty of a pass from Cole Hutson, whose 48 points this season matched the freshman total of his brother, Canadiens star rookie Lane Hutson.That save loomed large as, just a few minutes later, Michaels effectively put this game away with a wrist shot off the rush, making it 4-2 with 12:44 to go. The Terriers appeared to cut the lead to one goal with eight minutes to go as Matt Copponi pounced on a rebound of a Nick Roukounakis shot and pushed it through Slukynsky. There was an official review, but the call on the ice (no goal) stood. Pandolfo nearly jumped over the bench before the review.“They said it was tied up,” Pandolfo said. “So he blew the whistle. I haven’t seen the replay of it, so I’m not sure exactly what it looked like. Someone said it was on the top of his pad and we pushed it in.”
Western Michigan University won its first-ever national title in its first-ever Frozen Four appearance, defeating five-time champs Boston University 6-2.
More from the game and what’s next for both WMU and BU NHL prospects ⤵️https://t.co/WPkhK3iLli pic.twitter.com/zqVF7F77qG
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) April 13, 2025The Broncos fans — especially their student section “Lawson Lunatics” — traveled really well, taking over the sold-out crowd of 16,953. “They earn their name every night,” Washe said. “It felt like a home game.”“They’re nuts,” goalie Slukynsky said.“It felt like half the town was here,” Ferschweiler said.Cole Crusberg-Roseen, Ty Henricks and Iiro Hakkarainen also scored for Western Michigan. Michaels, who had two goals in 38 games last year, scored three times in this Frozen Four. That included the double OT winner over Denver on Thursday. Michaels earned tournament most outstanding player honors.“Oh (Michaels), oh man, where to start?” Washe said. “Biggest stage, the big players show up, and that’s what he did.”
OWEN MICHAELS WITH A ROCKET!!!#BroncosReign pic.twitter.com/k7q2QDtVwr
— WMU Hockey (@WMUHockey) April 13, 2025(Photo: Jeff Curry / Imagn Images)
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