The last 4 remain in the men’s college hockey Championship. After 7 months of crushing block checks, unstoppable slapshots, and numerous shocks and upsets, we are here. Denver, Western Michigan, Penn State, and Boston University. 2 of them will go on to play the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championship final on April 12, but before that, it’s about to all go down in the Frozen Four semi-finals. In the first of the 2 matches, the Denver Pioneers clash with the Western Michigan Broncos. But do you know when and where you can catch all the action? Let’s fill you in.
This year’s esteemed Frozen Four championship will take place inside the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, the home of NHL’s St. Louis Blues. But when, though? Well, the Denver-Western Michigan match will start at 4 pm ET on April 11. After the Frozen Fest, scheduled at 2 pm at the St. Louis Union Station, the merriment and festivities transition to the Enterprise Center for the blockbuster clash.
What is making this clash so frosty? Well, the Pioneers are again there, the reigning Champions, going for their 3rd NCAA title in 4 years. And on the opposite side, there is Western Michigan, which is making its first-ever Frozen Four appearance. But don’t you dare think they are not ready. In fact, they are the only number 1 seeded team among the 4 Frozen Four participants. Yes, they are very much up for it.
It will be a spectacle for the fans inside the Enterprise Center. And in case you are amongst those who decided to trade a match ticket for the comforts of the couch to catch the match, you are covered too, by ESPN. The match will be telecasted on ESPN 2, where John Buccigross (play-by-play) and Colby Cohen (analyst) will call the game. Buccigross will be doing the play-by-play commentary, while Cohen will bring his analytical skills to break down the match.
The game will also be live-streamed on ESPN App and ESPN+, while fans can also opt for the Fubo app via the free trial option. So many options you have to watch Denver make their 20th Frozen Four appearance.
So, clear up your schedule and get ready! Not just Denver, but both teams have so many reasons to go all out and get the win.
Who gets the bragging rights after the match – Denver or Western Michigan
Denver’s biggest strength going into the match will be the 19-year-old defenseman, Zeev Buium. The NCAA Northeast Regionals Most Outstanding Player will be targeting his 2nd-straight NCAA Championship and the chance to win the Hobey Baker Award, the most prestigious award in ice hockey at the college level. And this win will also be more personal for the whole Denver contingent. The Manchester Regional team has already played Western Michigan 3 times this season and is trailing 2-1.
The last match was especially close, with an overtime 4-3 defeat. And what makes Western Michigan ready for the huge semi-final clash is that they have dominated Denver this season. In the 4-3 win, they went 3-0 up against Denver before the defending Champs had to raise their game to tie the score. Also, being the number 1 seed team with a stat of 32-7-1 means the Fargo Regional team is the team in form.
Although, that wouldn’t faze Denver. They are here because they eliminated the overall number 1 seed team, Boston College. They may be 3rd seeded, but coached by David Carle, they are the most dangerous team to play in the Frozen Four. And at Enterprise Center, St. Louis, which is hosting the Frozen Four for the first time since 2007, Western Michigan will be the ones with the onus to rewrite history. It also happens to be the third time overall that St. Louis has got the hosting rights.
So, a lot of 3s on the line. Denver’s 3rd Championship in 4 years. Or maybe it can be Michigan’s 3rd win, and the most important win of the program, over Denver this season. Whose side are you on?
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