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Western Michigan, making its first Frozen Four appearance, knocked off defending champion Denver 3-2 in double overtime in a thrilling NCAA men's hockey semifinal contest Thursday at Enterprise Center.

The Broncos (33-7-1) will face either Boston University or Penn State for the national title at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Owen Michaels scored his second goal of the game 26 seconds into the second overtime to end a wild affair.

Denver had won a record 10 national titles and was searching for its third championship in the last four years after winning the crown in 2022 as well.

Western Michigan was not impressed.

Michaels whipped a shot past Denver goaltender Matt Davis from the high slot.

The Broncos used second period goals from Brian Kramer and Michaels to snap a scoreless tie.

Western Michigan freshman goalie Hampton Slukynsky, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 2023, stopped 20 shots.

Kramer scored a power play goal on a wicked wrist shot from the top of the slot 6 minutes and 16 seconds into the second period. Tim Washe won the faceoff and got the puck right on the stick of Kramer, who pounded home his second goal of the season.

Michaels the doubled the lead with a wrist shot from the right faceoff dot 8 minutes and 16 seconds later.

The Kalamazoo school controlled play over the first periods and recorded 32 of the game's first 39 shots.

Denver (31-12-1) rebounded with a strong third period and tied the game 2-2 on a goal by Jared Wright with 2:39 remaining in regulation. Wright poked the puck in during a scramble in front of the net. The Pioneers had climbed to within a goal when Aidan Thompson pounced on his own rebound with 13:09 left. 

Davis kept the Pioneers in the contest by turning back at least a dozen quality chances over the first two periods.

Western Michigan held a distinct crowd advantage and also brought its band and cheerleaders.

The Broncos have eight players that have been drafted by NHL teams including senior winger Alex Bump, whose rights are owned by the Philadelphia Flyers. Bump contributed a strong two-way game.