Every year, the NCAA Men’s Frozen Four captures the attention of college hockey fans throughout the country, showcasing the determination, skill, and passion of student-athletes seeking national glory. While it may not receive the same widespread attention as other major sporting events, the Frozen Four consistently delivers thrilling moments and unforgettable stories.
The Frozen Four, which represents the semifinals of the NCAA Men’s Hockey Ice Tournament, is usually what everyone knows the tournament as. Hockey is currently the third most watched sport in the world, but most of this viewership goes to national leagues around the world, most notably the North American National Hockey League. However, viewership and coverage of college hockey has greatly increased over the past years, with online viewership surging and a significant increase in in-person attendance.
This year’s tournament, held at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, featured a mix of seasoned veteran programs and newcomers to the mainstage. On April 10, Western Michigan University faced 2024 Frozen Four champion University of Denver in the semifinals, while Boston University took on Penn State. Western Michigan edged out Denver in a nail-biting victory, with Western Michigan’s Owen Michaels scoring his second goal twenty-six seconds into double overtime. This brought Western Michigan to a 3-2 victory. Boston University secured their spot in the final by defeating Penn State 3-1, with the game-winning goal scored by Boston’s Cole Eiserman.
History was made at the final game on April 12. Western Michigan, making their first-ever appearance in the Frozen Four, dominated Boston with a 6-2 victory, clinching their first national championship in program history. This win also marked the university’s first national title in any sport since 1965. Western Michigan played amazing hockey this year, and we are extremely excited for what their program has in store for us in the coming years.
One of the biggest surprises of the tournament came during the regionals, when Cornell University pulled off an absolutely stunning win against number one seed Michigan State University. The Big Red, who weren’t even expected to leave the Eastern College Athletic Conference tournament, entered the tournament as underdogs and played with grit and determination, ultimately blanking Michigan State 4-3 in a game that left fans buzzing. Cornell’s Sullivan Mack scored on the power play with 8.5 seconds left in the game, with a stunning pass from Charlie Major, securing their ticket to the second round. Goaltender Ian Shane was an absolute wall, and Cornell’s physical defense wore down a Michigan State team that many had penciled in for the Frozen Four. Despite losing to Boston 3-2 in the next round, this game was a huge win and a proud moment for Cornell hockey, showing their tradition, teamwork, and how you can never count a team out.
The Frozen Four isn’t just about creating individual highlight reels or final scores. It’s also a reminder of what makes college hockey so special. The passion. The collaboration. Winning alongside lifelong friends. The student sections chanting in unison. The last-second goals. The seniors who gave their all. These all add up to a celebration of sport that’s emotional, thrilling, and much, much more than just a game, not just to the players, but to the millions of fans.
In a world where professional sports often steal the spotlight, the Frozen Four is a refreshing reminder that greatness doesn’t require multimillion-dollar contracts or a massive sold-out arena. Sometimes, all it takes is a stick, some skates, and a dream.
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