SAINT PAUL, Minn. – For one final time, the four NCHC Frozen Faceoff semifinalists will take to the ice at Xcel Energy Center this weekend as the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) crowns its 2025 Tournament champion. Along with the on-ice excitement, the Conference is celebrating its Last Call in Saint Paul, ending a run of holding its championship weekend in the Twin Cities over the past 12 years.
 
Since the NCHC began play in the 2013-14 season, the final weekend of its conference tournament has taken place in Minneapolis or St. Paul, beginning at Target Center from 2014-17 before shifting to Xcel Energy Center in 2018. In that time frame, every NCHC member has reached the Frozen Faceoff, with five programs claiming the tournament title at least once. Starting next season, the NCHC Tournament will take place entirely on campus sites, making this weekend the end of an era for college hockey championships in the Twin Cities.
 
“Minnesota takes great pride in its identity as the State of Hockey,” NCHC Commissioner Heather Weems said. “Hockey is part of the fabric of communities from learn to skate and mite programs, to the tradition of high school hockey and the state tournament that is like no other. It was only natural that Minneapolis/St. Paul long served as a destination for college hockey conference play-offs, and on a pretty regular cycle, the NCAA Frozen Four.
 
“While we will continue to see conference playoffs on college campuses throughout the state and country – the departure from the Xcel Energy Center is bittersweet. Whether the WCHA Final Five or the NCHC Frozen Faceoff, it was fun to see the players upon arrival walk to the benches and for even a short time, revisit their childhood dreams of skating under the big lights.”
 
On the ice at Xcel Energy Center this weekend, four teams square off for the NCHC’s automatic bid to next week’s NCAA Tournament, though the auto-bid holds different degrees of importance depending on which locker room you are in.
 
The festivities begin on Friday afternoon as No. 11 Arizona State faces off against defending Frozen Faceoff and National Champion Denver (No. 6 nationally) at 4 p.m. CT. The Sun Devils are looking for their fourth win of the season against the Pioneers in an effort to boost their postseason prospects for the program’s second ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Top-seeded and No. 3-ranked Western Michigan captured its first regular season title in the program’s Division I history and looks to secure a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Broncos take on No. 17 and fifth-seeded North Dakota, who is playing for its postseason life, in Friday night’s second semifinal at 7:30 p.m. CT. Both games will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
 
No. 1 seed Western Michigan Broncos
2024-25 Record: 28-7-1
NCAA PairWise: 5th
National Polls: 3rd
NCHC Playoffs: Swept St. Cloud State, 2-0
 
The Broncos continued their breakout season last weekend by outscoring St. Cloud State a combined 12-4 in a pair of 6-2 victories in the NCHC Quarterfinals to punch their ticket to the Frozen Faceoff for the first time since 2022. That year, WMU advanced to the championship game before falling to Minnesota Duluth. Since the calendar flipped to 2025, Western Michigan has lost just once in regulation and is 17-3 in that span as WMU claimed its first Penrose Cup as NCHC regular season champions. WMU has utilized a breakout season by NCHC Forward of the Year sophomore Alex Bump and first-year contributions from players such as brothers Grant and Hampton Slukynsky to take another step forward as a program.
 
Western Michigan boasts the nation’s top offense, averaging 4.1 goals per game, while it yields only 2.1 goals per contest, which ties for sixth in the NCAA. Bump, a First-Team All-NCHC selection, paces WMU’s balanced attack with 43 points (13th nationally) on 20 goals and 23 assists. Five more Broncos have netted at least 11 goals while sophomore transfer Grant Slukynsky sits second on the squad with 33 points (8 goals, 25 assists).

Defensively, Western Michigan has given up two goals or fewer in 24 of its 36 contests thanks to a solid blue line guided by Third-Team All-NCHC and All-Rookie Team performer Joona Väisänen. WMU has also enjoyed stellar play from its goaltending duo of graduate student Third-Team All-NCHC selection Cameron Rowe (15-2-0, 2.00 goals against average, .924 save percentage, 1 shutout) and freshman Second-Team All-NCHC pick Hampton Slukynsky (13-5-1, 2.03 goals against average, .919 save percentage, 1 shutout) to lock down opponents, though Slukynsky has started each of the last seven games in net. After having made the past three NCAA Tournaments, the Broncos are in the hunt for a No. 1 seed for next week’s NCAA Tournament and will stretch their program record to four straight NCAA appearances.
 
Tail of the Tape (NCHC Rank; NCAA Rank)
Goals Per Game: 4.1 (1st; 1st)
Goals Allowed Per Game: 2.1 (t-1st; t-6th)
Shots Per Game: 35.1 (1st; 3rd)
Shots Allowed Per Game: 25.9 (2nd; 10th)
Power Play: 25.5% (4th; 8th)
Penalty Kill: 87.1% (1st; 4th)
 
Head Coach Pat Ferschweiler: “Our team is hyper focused and believes in themselves and what we’re trying to accomplish here. Nobody here is putting a cap on anything that we can do.”
 
Ferschweiler on the Frozen Faceoff in the Twin Cities: “Growing up in Minnesota, the Final Five of the old WCHA had a magical thing going on. There’s been quality and interest in these tournaments for a long time. We were lucky enough to make it in the first year of this league. It’s a tough place just to get to, it’s a quality event and a great experience playing in that building.”
 
Graduate Student Forward and Captain Tim Washe: “Everyone contributes on offense and you never know who is going to step up, which is huge this time of year. Guys are ready for their opportunities and make the most of them.”
 

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No. 2 seed Arizona State Sun Devils
2024-25 Record: 21-13-2
NCAA PairWise: 15th
National Polls: 11th
NCHC Playoffs: Swept Minnesota Duluth, 2-0
 
In their first year as a member of the NCHC, the Sun Devils surprised many to finish second in the conference and are making their first trip to the Frozen Faceoff. Last weekend, Arizona State outlasted Minnesota Duluth in a pair of one-goal victories in the NCHC Quarterfinals to advance, with Saturday’s win coming in overtime. ASU’s upcoming tilt with No. 6 Denver provides it an opportunity to bolster its PairWise ranking (15th) and potentially secure its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019 and its second trip to the postseason in its 10-year history. Arizona State clawed back from a slow start to the season that saw it begin the year 3-7-1 and 0-3 in NCHC play. Since Nov. 16, ASU is 18-6-1 and has gone 5-3 against the other three Frozen Faceoff qualifiers.
 
The Sun Devils sport a top-five offense that averages 3.7 goals per game, which is anchored by the nation’s third-best power play (29.2 percent). Third Team-All-NCHC selection Ryan Kirwan (25 goals, 13 assists) and Second-Team All-NCHC pick Lukas Sillinger (8 goals, 30 assists) are tied for the team lead with 38 points apiece and three more skaters have pumped in 32 points or more this season. Kirwan’s 25 goals are a program record. First-Team All-NCHC forward Artem Shlaine also has made a big impact, posting 34 points in 28 games, with 31 of those points coming in NCHC play.
 
Defensively, ASU allows 2.8 goals per game, but is stellar at killing penalties (84.1 percent; 11th). Second-Team All-NCHC honoree Noah Beck has blocked 42 shots and leads their blue line with 32 points on five goals and 27 assists. In net, ASU has relied on the tandem of Luke Pavicich (2.61 goals against average, .909 save percentage) and Gibson Homer (2.56 goals against average, .919 save percentage, 2 shutouts) in equal measure.
 
Tail of the Tape (NCHC Rank; NCAA Rank)
Goals Per Game: 3.7 (3rd; t-5th)
Goals Allowed Per Game: 2.8 (t-3rd; t-26th)
Shots Per Game: 32.9 (3rd; 9th)
Shots Allowed Per Game: 30.3 (6th; t-36th)
Power Play: 29.2% (2nd; 3rd)
Penalty Kill: 84.1% (2nd; 11th)
 
From the Arizona State Locker Room:
 
Head Coach Greg Powers: “The message from me consistently since Saturday has been ‘every time you put on that jersey, it could be your last for the guys who are out of eligibility’. We believe that if our guys play with that urgency of not making it their last game, we like our chances against anybody. We’ve been as good as anyone in the country for the last two-thirds of the season. No matter what the result is, the approach is to leave it all out on the ice and I’m confident that they will.”
 
Graduate Student Forward Artem Shlaine: “Denver’s a really skilled team and great up and down the rink. We have to stick to our plan of putting pucks behind them and grinding away. We’re a fast team as well so it’s going to come down to who will play a grittier game, get on the other team’s defense more and bury their chances at the end of the day.”
 

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No. 3 seed Denver Pioneers
2024-25 Record: 28-10-1
NCAA PairWise: 10th
National Polls: 6th
NCHC Playoffs: Defeated Colorado College in 3 games, 2-1
 
The Pioneers’ national championship defense has had some ups and downs this season. However, they are back in the Frozen Faceoff after claiming the crown a year ago after rallying to top rival Colorado College in three games to open the playoffs last weekend. After dropping a 3-1 decision in the quarterfinal opener, DU outscored CC 15-5 over the next two nights to reach the semifinal round. After beginning the regular season 12-0, the Pioneers went 3-5 in their next eight games before going 13-5-1 in their final 19 outings.
 
Denver’s offense is once again prolific, ranking just behind Western Michigan with 4.0 goals per game (second nationally). First-Team All-NCHC forward Jack Devine leads the country with 54 points (13 goals, 41 assists) and Second-Team All-NCHC pick Aidan Thompson’s 49 points (18 goals, 31 assists) rank just behind him. The offense is also bolstered by a defenseman in NCHC Player of the Year Zeev Buium, who has 42 points (10 goals, 32 assists), which leads all NCAA blue liners and is tied for 14th among all college players. Additionally, All-NCHC Third Team picks Carter King (21 goals) and Sam Harris (20 goals) lead the Pioneers in goals.
 
DU also knows how to lock things down defensively, holding teams to merely 2.1 goals per game (tied for sixth) and 25.8 shots per game (tied for 9th). Third-Team All-NCHC blueliner Eric Pohlkamp has contributed at both ends of the ice, chipping in 32 points (9 goals, 23 assists) and a team-high 50 blocked shots. Senior Matt Davis has been an anchor in net for DU and holds a 2.09 goals against average, .920 save percentage and has recorded one shutout.
 
Tail of the Tape (NCHC Rank; NCAA Rank)
Goals Per Game: 4.0 (2nd; 2nd)
Goals Allowed Per Game: 2.1 (t-1st; t-6th)
Shots Per Game: 33.5 (2nd; 7th)
Shots Allowed Per Game: 25.8 (1st; 9th)
Power Play: 29.5% (1st; 2nd)
Penalty Kill: 82.3% (4th; 19th)
 
From the Denver Locker Room:
 
Head Coach David Carle: “Arizona State has a belief to them that they are never out of a hockey game. They showed it being down 3-0 to Duluth and coming back to win that game. They have recruited a lot of good players who play the way they want to. You can’t relax against them at 5-on-5 or on either of their power play units.”
 
Carle on the Frozen Faceoff in St. Paul: “We’re honored to have been part of every Frozen Faceoff. The first Frozen Faceoff in the Target Center we had a couple bad bounces, but we fought through the adversity. In 2018 when we won it we weren’t even smiling and Commissioner Fenton asked if we could celebrate a little bit as we were trying to go back-to-back after winning the NCAA title in 2017. Last year, we really enjoyed the moment of how hard it is to win this championship.”
 
Junior Forward Aidan Thompson: “We had a bumpy second half of the season compared to how hot we started. I don’t think our record reflects how well we played in a lot of those games. It’s good to be in those situations, we had tough games last year that helped us down the road. To have some tight games to learn from is helpful in the Frozen Faceoff and the NCAA Tournament.”
 

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No. 5 seed North Dakota Fighting Hawks
2024-25 Record: 21-14-2
NCAA PairWise: 17th
National Polls: 17th
NCHC Playoffs: Swept Omaha, 2-0
 
After winning the Penrose Cup a year ago, the Fighting Hawks had a tougher time stringing wins together at the beginning of this season. UND started a bit uneven with a 7-7-1 record, though that included victories over top-20 opponents Minnesota State, Boston University, and Providence. North Dakota enters the Frozen Faceoff with a 14-7-1 mark since the beginning of December.
 
Offensively, UND has relied on by-committee scoring up and down the lineup with a mix of dynamic newcomers like NCHC Rookie of the Year Sacha Boisvert (16 goals, 14 assists, 30 points) and versatile veterans like senior Jake Schmaltz (6 goals). Four UND skaters scored at least 10 goals and six recorded 21 points or more, with Boisvert pacing both categories. The Fighting Hawks’ 3.2 goals per game is tied for 17th nationally, though they are the nation’s sixth-best team on the power play, converting 25.9 percent of their opportunities.
 
The North Dakota defense is led by First-Team All-NCHC blue liner Jake Livanavage, whose 28 points are tied for second on the team while his 65 blocked shots rank second as well. The bulk of UND’s goaltending duties are handled by Arizona State transfer T.J. Semptimphelter, who holds a 2.66 goals against average with a .908 save percentage and one shutout.
 
Tail of the Tape (NCHC Rank; NCAA Rank)
Goals Per Game: 3.2 (4th; t-17th)
Goals Allowed Per Game: 2.9 (5th; t-31st)
Shots Per Game: 28.6 (7th; t-36th)
Shots Allowed Per Game: 28.4 (3rd; 24th)
Power Play: 25.9% (3rd; 6th)
Penalty Kill: 76.6% (7th; 50th)
 
From the North Dakota Locker Room:
 
Head Coach Brad Berry: “We’ve had significant injuries this year and that forced young guys to learn on the fly in a tough league like the NCHC. Now you’re seeing the growth that they’ve had because they have played on a consistent basis. We’re playing our best hockey right now and guys are excited to play.”
 
Berry on Frozen Faceoff in Twin Cities: “In the WCHA days, everyone in the league circled the Final Five weekend on their calendar in St. Paul. Then it transformed to the NCHC and they did an amazing job of preserving that feeling. It’s going to be sentimental this weekend before we go to home sites next year, but it’s also a business trip for us to do what we have to do.”
 
Senior Forward Cameron Berg: “We’ve had a lot of guys in and out of the lineup this year and they have grown throughout the year. They came up big for us in Omaha last weekend and now that we’ve battled through adversity together, we feel ready to go this weekend. Western is a great team that you have to respect, we have to play a good 200-foot game and make the most of our chances and make sure we want it more than them.”
 
GAME SCHEDULE
Friday, March 21 (times CT) 

• Denver vs. Arizona State - 4:07 p.m. 
• North Dakota vs. Western Michigan - 7:37 p.m.

Saturday, March 22 (times CT) 

• Championship Game - 7:38 p.m.