The 2025 men’s frozen, NCAA hockey tournament culmination, with two teams and two newcomers with a lot of experience on the platform, the first time with a semi -final matchup with a meeting of familiar enemies and teams.
The semi -finals will be on ET at 5 and 8:30 pm at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis on Thursday, which will have to face the winners, who will have to face 7:30 pm on Saturday, all three games will be on ESPN2 and streaming on ESPN+.
In the first game of Thursday, the national champion Denver is coming back to defend his title, with the leading people facing the NCHC team Western Michigan, which is in the first frozen four. Teams have met three times this season, with Bronchos beating Danver in a double overtime at the NCHC Championship Game, when teams have divided two meetings in a regular session.
The other semi -final matches the University of Boston, which is in the national semi -finals for the third straight year, and Pen State, which makes its frozen start. This is the first meeting between Terriers and Nitney Lions.
Western Michigan is one of the top four overall seeds to make frozen frozen, for the first time since 2011 that only one of the top four seeds has removed it. Boston College, Michigan State and Main were all terminated in regional sports.
In terms of NHL talent, a joint 38 players have been drafts from four frozen teams. BUS makes way with 14, Denver has 13, Western Michigan 8 and Pen State 3.
Below is a look at what is right for each of the four teams to win the national title, with ESPN College Hockey Analysts Colby Cohen and Andrew Recroft, with the insight of the players and the players for the major data, to win the national title.
Denver (31-11-1)
How Pioneers found here: As the number 3 seeds in Manchester Regional, Denver dominated the providence 5–1, then knocked on the number 1 overall seed Boston College 3–1 in Remach of last year’s National Championship Game. The PIOS took a 2–0 lead in the second round before the BC, before it met on the board with less than a minute to play during the period. ,
To know numbers: A national title will be the 11th in Danver History and will give the program a back-to-back championship for the fourth time and three titles in four years. … Pioneers have at least 30 wins for the fourth straight season. … Jack Divine (13 goals, 44 aids) and Aden Thompson (20, 34) are in 1-2 points, while any defenseman has the highest marks in Beoom (13 goals, 35 aids).
How can Denver win the national title
Back Pressure Bottle Things Up: Denver’s forward comes back through the beach as well as through any team in the country. It puts immense pressure on the opposing team trying to make it out through the neutral region and out of the rush, which allows Denver to keep defense tight intervals and create a turnover. It is almost impossible to defeat him when DU left Puck in the regional.
Special teams remain special: Denver’s power play is clicking on a remarkable rate of 30%. A low scoring, one-and-form, a power-play target can be a difference. PIOS has many such great movements and many options for dangerous players, power play can actually separate them.
Players to see: Ziv Buyam. This future may dominate a game with or without NHL star Pak. Their skating, puck skills and visions are elite, and at any time he can take a game, as we saw in Manchester. Another key for Buium is that he is the greatest, the better. It is not surprising to see her playing about 30 minutes per game in Frozen Four. , Kolbi Cohen
Western Michigan (32-7-1)
How did bronchos get here: The top seeds in the Fargo regional, western Michigan required double overtime by defeating the Minnesota state 2–1, furthering the target of Grant Slokinski, then defeated the UMAS 2–1, erased 1-0 on the same five-minute punishment with Liam Valent and Tim Wash with power-plate targets by Tim Wash. Bronchos then had to kill his own five -minute head to close the Minumen.
To know numbers: Bronchos, who have a team-riddle 32 wins, are on the eight-game winning streak, the longest active line in the country. … Western Michigan is one of the most balanced teams in the country, which is 3.95 goals per game (second for 4.00 of Denver), while allowing only 2.05 goals per game, which is the fourth lowest in the nation. … Bronchos’ goalkeeper Hampton Slokinski has allowed just two goals in 147: 14 minutes, which is for a 0.82 goal average, which is best in all tournaments rounds.
How to win Western Michigan National title
Forward depth delivery: There is no drop-off from the first line to the fourth line for bronchos. They will need to roll on four rows to try to wear their opponents down, starting with pioneers.
Hampton Slucanski stands on her head: Freshman goalkeeper stopped 28 out of 29 shots in both sports in Fargo. Los Angeles Kings Draft Pick has a record 17–5–1 and will have to perform its best for Western Michigan to hoist the trophy.
Players to see: Liam Valent. Swedish Winger scored three goals out of four goals of his team in Fargo. He has a full rocket for a shot and will need to find ways to close it against Denver and goalkeeper Matte Davis. , Andrew Recroft
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Frozen four previews: Pen State vs. Boston University
John previews four semi -final matchups between BucccigrasS Pen State and the University of Boston.
University of Boston (23-13-2)
How to get Terriers here: Number 2 seeds in Toledo Regional, BU gave the way to the Ohio state for 8-3 victory with six unanswered balls, then flezing Frozen Four at the goal 6:25 in overtime to Frozen Four at 6:25 in overtime, number 4 Seed Cornell 3-2. Freshman Mikhail Yigorov saved 37 for Terriers in his 16th career game.
To know numbers: BU coach J Pandolfo NCAA is a combined 10–0 as a head coach and player in the regional Games, resulting in seven trips for Frozen Four. Pandolfo is the third division I have a male hockey coach to reach Frozen Four in each of its first three sessions, including Doug Vogue (Minnesota) and Dave Hakstol (North Dakota). … Despite his recent success, Terriers have not reached the national title game since 2015.
How Boo can win the national title
Close the crowd: BU is a dynamic aggressive team that prefers to play on the crowd. Terriers are sharp and are going quickly in infection, and they have got a lot of success in the tournament, which is away from the crowd.
care Home: BU has not been known for his defense, but against Cornell, Terriers dropped their nets and limited the second and third occasions. Goalkeeper Mikhail Yigorov will usually stop the first one, so if BU takes care of his own end, it has a great chance to play for a championship.
Players to see: Cole Hatsan. One of the most dynamic players in coal hockey game is not only for NCAA. I have not seen a player since Cole’s brother Lane – the current member of the Montreal Canadines and a favorite for winning the Calder Trophy – Cole has poetry and aggressive trend. Large moments feel that Hatson is the most bright shines – Beenpot, World Juniors gold medal game, Toledo Regional – so it would be exciting to see what he brings to the frozen four. , Cohen
Pen State (22-13-4)
How to get Nitni lions here: After giving Men an initial target, top seeds in Elenetown, number 4 Seed Pen State overwhelmed the black bear with three first-term targets, winning 5–1. Nitney Lions moved on the target of Matt Dimarsico at 17:56 and defeated the number 2 seed Eucon 3-2 on the target of overtime and proceeded in their first frozen four. Arseni Sergev had 42 savings in the OT thriller.
To know numbers: The pen state has only three disadvantages since January 11, which is going 14-3-3 in that stretch. … Nitney Lions 2019 is the first regional number 4 seed to make frozen four since providence.
How to win a pen state national title
Continue speed: The Pen State continues its Cinderella run after starting the Big Ten season 0-8-1. There is no question on the fact that the hottest team in the country got a big competition from a home-state crowd in Elenetown Regional. Can Nitney Lions take that energy to St. Louis because they defeat a third straight Hockey East team?
Take advantage of the speed of the team: Pen State reduced both the main and econ away in the first period of its regional Games, which was happening on the crowd and causing havoc with speed through the neutral region. Nitney Lions will not snatch on BU and whether they can play faster than Terriers, there will be a big question.
Players to see: Charlie Serato. The Freshman Center had five assistance in two regional games. With Cerrato Pivoting Vingers Matt Dimarsico and partner Freshman JJ Wibt, the second line of Lions has carried forward him aggressively, including beautiful overtime winners, who defeat Ukon. , Recroft
