HOMETOWN HERO: Northville’s Michaels’ OT goal propels WMU into NCAA title game
Northville native Owen Michaels scored the game-winning goal in overtime Thursday night to propel Western Michigan into Saturday’s NCAA hockey championship game.PHOTO BY ASHLEY HUSS
Western Michigan University has reached the biggest stage in college hockey for the first time ever thanks in part to the double-overtime heroics of Northville native Owen Michaels.
Michaels’ lasered home a slap shot from between the face-off circles in the first minute of double overtime to give the Broncos a 3-2 victory over defending NCAA champion Denver.
Now 33-7-1, Western will face off against Boston University for the NCAA championship Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The game will be televised by ESPN2.
In his second season with the Broncos, Michaels has tallied 16 goals and 18 assists.
Great student, too
Michaels has excelled in the classroom, too, at Western as he was named an NCHC Distinguished Scholar Athlete during his freshman season when he played in all 38 of the Broncos games. Michaels scored seven points (two goals, five assists) as a freshman.
Perseverance has played a role in Michaels’ compelling hockey journey. He played one season for the Dubuque (Iowa) Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League. Prior to that, he spent two seasons with the Bismarck (North Dakota) Bobcats of the NAHL (from 2020-22), amassing 53 points (14 goals, 39 assists).
The 22-year-old is the son of Dan and Judy Michaels. He has two older sisters: Bridget and Maggie.
All in the family
Dan Michaels played baseball for WMU, where he was a member of the Broncos’ 1989 MAC championship team.
Owen Michaels plans to study business, according to the WMU athletics website.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
