Western Michigan Ousts Denver, Advances to NCAA Hockey Championship

Western Michigan University secured a historic victory against the University of Denver, winning 3-2 in double overtime during the NCAA Frozen Four semifinals. Owen Michaels scored the decisive goal just 30 seconds into the second overtime, propelling the Broncos to their first NCAA Championship game. Despite Western's initial two-goal lead, Denver fought back to tie the game in the third period, showcasing a thrilling match that marked the first double overtime in the Frozen Four since 1996. Denver's goalie Matt Davis made an impressive 44 saves, keeping his team competitive throughout the game. Western Michigan will face the winner of the other semifinal, marking a significant achievement for the program, which has risen to prominence this season. The team's previous high ranking was #3 in the USA Hockey Poll, demonstrating their strong performance leading up to this championship opportunity.