Denver Fought Back After Being Dominated Early, But Broncos Prevailed Again
by Mike McMahon/Staff Writer (@mikemcmahon)
(photo: Rich Gagnon)
ST. LOUIS Owen Michaels’ goal just 26 seconds into the second overtime propelled Western Michigan into the national championship game and completed a 3-2 win over Denver on Thursday night at the Frozen Four.
“That game was as advertised,” said Western Michigan coach Pat Ferschweiler. “It was a heavyweight battle.”
Michaels picked up a loose puck that was deflected off a block and snuck a shot under the bar past Matt Davis. It was the second goal of the game for Michaels, who scored in the second period to give the Broncos a two-goal lead.
“It was kind of a broken play, I saw the puck squirt out to me and I took a shot,” Michaels said. “I froze for a second [after it went in]. Just happy and excited.”
“We talked about being ready to win the game when the chance comes,” Ferschweiler added. “We caught a little bit of a break on that goal, it hit a stick and then went to Owen. But we talked about being ready to win the game, and Owen was ready.”
It was a carbon copy of the NCHC Tournament final, which Western Michigan also won over Denver in double OT within the first 30 seconds.
There was no score at the end of the first period but the Broncos had a heavy shot advantage (12-3).
Samu Salminen went off for a holding penalty at the 5:32 mark of the second period. That opened the door for Western Michigan to take a 1-0 lead.
On the power play, Tim Washe won a faceoff back to defenseman Brian Kramer. He stepped into the high slot and fired a wrist shot that beat Matt Davis to his glove side.
At the time of the Western Michigan goal, the Broncos had a 15-5 shot advantage. They wenty on to an 18-2 run in shots after the goal while the Pioneers misfired on chances.
Aidan Thompson had an open look on a 2-on-1 but his shot whistled wide.
The Broncos took a 2-0 lead with 5:28 left in the second period. Denver fans thought Michaels should have been called for a trip as Thompson curled at the bottom of the right circle. But there was no whistle, Michaels picked up the loose puck and stepped into another shot that beat Davis to his glove side.
The Broncos had two additional chances to extend their lead late in…
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