Broncos Offense Powers #3 WMU To St. Paul for Potential NCHC Title

**Lawson Arena-Kalamazoo, MI*

WMU (28-7-1) is one step closer to securing a 1-seed in the NCAA Frozen Tournament heading into Friday evening in St. Paul at XCel Energy Arena, home of the Minnesota Wild.

Western Michigan (#3) took care of 8-seed St. Cloud State to a pair of 6-2 wins over the weekend in the NCHC Quarterfinals (best of 3) and a 2-0 sweep. It was a fairly uneven matchup as the Broncos dismantled the Huskies in a home weekend series sweep in early February 4-0 and 6-1 and this series was no different. The offense was early, often and special teams proved too efficient on both ends for the Huskies.

Winning feels good. #BroncosReign pic.twitter.com/bBqJLqLleL

— WMU Hockey (@WMUHockey) March 16, 2025

The offense had 3 power play goals and scored 4 of the first 5 goals in each game, never letting SCS get settled in.  All 3 power play goals came in the first period to establish the tone (Bump, x2 Costantini). Bump had points on all 3 goals and tallied 3 goals and 5 points in the Quarterfinal series. Iiro Hakkarainen tallied 2 goals and 2 assists as Tim Washe chipped in 3 goals and 1 assist. Broncos had goals also from Garret Szydlowski and Wyatt Schingoethe (3 total points).

Goalie Cameron Rowe, a Mike Richter finalist, was rested in anticipation of playing in consecutive games next weekend. Hampton Slukynsky enjoyed the offensive support in taking both wins. Friday night he stopped 23 of 23 shots and didn’t allow the second goal until the game was out of reach, in the third period where he faced the bulk of the work in stopping 12 of their 25 shots. On Saturday, it was more smooth sailing as he only had to face 18 shots, stopping 16 as the defense picked up the traffic in front of the net and at the point, really taking any wind of the Huskies sail, to complete the sweep. 39 saves on 43 shots to compile a 2.00 GAA and a respectable .907 save-%. Hampton will be the goalie of the future for the program and has learned quite a bit from Rowe and having watched in-state goalie stud, Trey Augustine at MSU. The overall future of the Broncos is very bright as they’ve elevated to a national contender and a legitimate threat to win the NCAA Frozen Four.

The Broncos take care of business in the NCHC Quarterfinals!

📰 https://t.co/Lk2diL4KQc #BroncosReign

— WMU Hockey (@WMUHockey) March 16, 2025

For now, they await a pair of Game-3 tiebreakers today to determine who they play first. As the 1 seed, they will draw either #6 seed Colorado College (vs. #3 Denver) should they win or #5 North Dakota, who swept Omaha 2-0 (3-2 and 3-2). WMU splits in the only 2-game series at Colorado College (4-1, L 2-3 OT) while taking 3 of 4 vs North Dakota, winning 2 on the road (3-2 OT, 5-1, 6-4 and 3-4 OT). Arizona State is on the other side as the #2 seed after finishing their sweep of Minnesota Duluth (4-3 and 6-5, OT) and will take the next highest remaining seed.

This team is rolling and boasts impressive advantages including 2.0 scoring margin, 10 shots more taken per game while doubling their overall goals (146-75) opponents assists (254-120), power play goals (25-12) and almost twice the better save conversion (.255 – .129). Additionally, they have the face off edge too winning 54.6% compared to their 45.4% to the opponent. This team is complete, healthy and two incredible goaltenders heading into NCHC Championship Tournament weekend.

Coach Ferschweiler’s team and staff will enjoy the success Sunday as they will rest and begin film prep for either opponent heading into this coming Friday night.