On Saturday, March 29, the No. 1 seeded (#4 nationally) Western Michigan Broncos battled the No. 3 seeded UMass Minutemen. The game was held in Fargo’s Scheels Arena for an opportunity to head to the Frozen Four.
The Minutemen controlled the game early, riding the momentum they created in Thursday night’s regional semifinal OT victory over Minnesota. UMass’ Dans Locmelis scored at the 11:10 mark of the period to give the Minutemen the lead 1-0. That score would hold the rest of the period.
MINUTEMEN ON THE BOARD FIRST! Dans Locmelis makes it 1-0 🚨#NCAAHockey x 🎥 ESPNews / @UMassHockey pic.twitter.com/LzmCeTDWjm
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) March 29, 2025
The second period would see both teams commit penalties, but the game-changing penalty would come with 1:46 remaining in the second period. UMass’ Aydar Suniev would be tagged with a five minute major, that was reviewed and had a 10 minute game misconduct added to it. 21 seconds into the power play, Western Michigan struck for the first time. A goal by Liam Valente would tied the game at 1-1. That score would remain into the intermission.
ALL TIED UP 🪢 @liam_valente #NCAAHockey x 🎥 ESPNU / @WMUHockey pic.twitter.com/wQbcUeVVIY
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) March 30, 2025
Early in the third period the Broncos would continue to ride the momentum they had steadily built for the majority of the evening. With 17:13 remaining (1:11 left in the major penalty) in the third period, WMU Captain Tim Washe would find the back of the net to give the Broncos the lead.
A TIM WASHE TIP! 💵 Broncos take the lead! #NCAAHockey x 🎥 ESPNU / @WMUHockey pic.twitter.com/6jaFAjc19g
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) March 30, 2025
The rest of the game would see both teams create scoring opportunities with great saves by their goaltenders and solid recoveries by their defensemen. Ultimately Warroad’s Hampton Slukynsky would act as a brick wall in the net, propelling his Broncos to victory and the program’s first berth in the NCAA Frozen Four.
THE BRONCOS ARE HEADED TO THEIR FIRST FROZEN FOUR!! #NCAAHockey x 🎥 ESPNU / @WMUHockey pic.twitter.com/5aohChQz4i
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) March 30, 2025
Slukynsky saved 28 of the 29 shots he faced. UMass goaltender Michael Hrabal would stop 28 of the 30 shots he faced in net. UMass held a 38-25 advantage on face-offs with WMU blocking more shots, 16-9.
The Broncos are now off to the Frozen Four in St. Louis from April 10-12.
