tw-align-centerIt's in the goal! @ColeEiserman34 ties it up for the Terriers 🐶#MFrozenFour x 🎥 ESPN2 / @TerrierHockeypic.twitter.com/1fry0q4PD1
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 12, 2025
Late in the period a Terrier turnover led to a 3-on-2 rush. Mikhail Yegorov stopped the initial shot but BU's clearing attempt went to Cole Crusberg-Roseen in the right circle. His one-time blast went past a screened Yegorov. WMU held a 2-1 lead and a 9-8 edge shots after one period.
tw-align-centerpic.twitter.com/Wla2t4DcDNhttps://t.co/UPFn1i2aZW
— Boston Hockey Blog (@BOShockeyblog) April 13, 2025
Five minutes into the middle period, the Broncos extended the lead when a failed forecheck and too many Terriers along the right side allowed two skaters to get behind the defense. Yegorov stopped Cam Knuble’s initial shot, but Ty Hendricks was all alone to bury the rebound for a 3-1 lead.
tw-align-centerpic.twitter.com/Itwh4j7Zi5https://t.co/llHnyQ23wO
— Boston Hockey Blog (@BOShockeyblog) April 13, 2025
Midway through the period, a WMU penalty put BU on the power play and it took just 16 seconds to respond.
Ryan Greene took a drop pass from Cole Hutson and fired a 40-foot shot on Hampton Slukynsky. Shane Lachance, who began the play with a faceoff win and then got in position to screen the goalie, got his stick on the rebound and pushed it under Slukynsky to cut the margin to 3-2. It was the sophomore co-captain’s 12th tally. Shots for the period again were 9-8 WMU.
tw-align-centerBIG TIME GOAL FOR CHANCER!
— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) April 13, 2025
📺 ESPN2pic.twitter.com/eJGDp3nbYg
tw-align-centerpic.twitter.com/HvDfzg7fXKhttps://t.co/z6o7TaBQs7
— Boston Hockey Blog (@BOShockeyblog) April 13, 2025
With eight minutes left in the period, another netfront scramble saw Matt Copponi dislodge the puck from Slukynsky and push it into the net, but a review ruled the whistle had blown.
tw-align-centerhttps://t.co/lzrRA548Wopic.twitter.com/tpGOaDHeoZ
— Boston Hockey Blog (@BOShockeyblog) April 13, 2025
Iiro Hakkarainen's goal at the 16-minute mark increased the WMU lead to 5-2 and after Yegorov was pulled for an extra attacker, Michaels scored his second goal of the game and fourth of the Frozen Four into the empty net.
Eiserman, who was named to the all-tournament team, is the 10th NCAA rookie since 2005-06 to score 25 goals, along with Jack Eichel (2014-15) and Macklin Celebrini (2023-24).
Cole Hutson's assist on BU's power-play goal gave him 48 points, equaling his brother, Lane Hutson's freshman mark. His 34 assists are the most ever by a first-year Terrier defenseman.
defkit's Terrier Takeaway
- Losing a national championship game is always going to be a tough pill to swallow, but the better team won the game. Right from the drop of the puck, we struggled with WMU's speed and forecheck, with way too many turnovers. They won the puck battles and just seemed a step ahead on most plays. For what started out looking like a potential rout, I was surprised that BU ended up staying "in the game" for as long as they did. What stung the most was the goal to make it 4-2 shortly after Eiserman had a chance to tie it up. WMU had a remarkable season with 34 wins. Kudos to their players and coaching staff.
● GoTerriers.com recap and box score
● Post-game Pandolfo, Greene, Lachance
● Boston Hockey BlogBU falls short in national championship game UPDATED
● College Hockey News Western Michigan Wins its First National Championship
● College Hockey News Elusive Title Was So Close, Yet So Far, For BU
● USCHO Western Michigan rides to its 1st NCAA title, beating Boston University
● USCHO Starting goalies produce a rarity in Frozen Four championship game
Looking ahead
2026 recruit Tynan Lawrence scored his 25th goal and added his 29th assist as Muskegon doubled up Chicago, 4-2. The 5-star forward from Fredricton, New Brunswick is third among USHL rookies with 54 points.