Men’s Hockey: National title within reach for the first time in ten years
Featured image by Holly Gustavsen
By Devora Slonim
One more game.
For the first time since 2015, the Terriers have a chance to bring home the coveted national title.
“You got to turn the page quick, for sure. But you know, especially yesterday after the game, you try to enjoy the moment a little bit with with the guys. And obviously, it’s a huge accomplishment in itself to be playing in a national championship game,” co-captain Ryan Greene said. “But you know, we’re definitely not satisfied as a group. And you know, we know that there’s one more game to go and we need to get the job done.”
The Boston University Terriers are making their third straight appearance in the championship game of the Frozen Four, while their opponents, the Western Michigan Broncos, are playing for the first time in program history.
This will be the fifth all-time meeting between the two teams, where the Terriers hold a 4-1 record. Their most recent matchup was a 5-1 BU victory in the 2023 NCAA regional semifinals.
The Terriers are coming off a gritty 3-1 win over Penn State on Thursday night, with goals coming from Jack Hughes, Cole Eiserman and Jack Harvey.
Hughes has continued to excel for BU, having been named to the All-Regional Team in Toledo, Ohio, and recording a goal and an assist in the semifinal win.
“He’s been excellent in the second half, excellent down the stretch,” Coach Jay Pandolfo said of Hughes. “Arguably our best forward… he’s quick, he has a good stick and is a really intelligent player, and I feel like that’s helped his overall game.”
Coming in from Omaha in January, freshman goaltender Mikhail Yegorov has been incredible. Starting in all 16 games, Yegorov holds a .934 save percentage and confidently flashed the leather on Thursday against Penn State, shutting down their late surge and pushing the team forward to the championship.
For only the second time in a century and the first time since 2009, two freshmen goalies will face off against each other.
The Minnesota native Hampton Slukynsky will be between the pipes for the Broncos, improving to his 18th win of the season in Western Michigans’ thrilling 2OT victory over Denver. Slukynsky boasts a .922 save percentage, contributing to a team best 33 wins on the year.
“They’re a really good team. They’re a heavy team. They play with structure. They want to get pucks behind you. Play below the goal line. They have some bigger bodies. They’ll get to your net…” Pandolfo said ahead of the matchup against Western Michigan. “It’s about winning your battles. It’s about all the little things, and that’s what you need to do if you want to come out on top.”
BU will be looking for their 6th title victory in program history when they take on Western Michigan at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, on Saturday at 7:30 ET.