ND Native Wins National Title For W. Michigan In Hockey

A lightning fast - 6 foot 5 190 pound FRESHMAN from Minot, North Dakota is a National Champion

His name is Zach Nehring, and he is destined to be a superstar in the National Hockey League. The team he plays for - the Western Michigan Broncos - wrapped up their season record last Saturday at 34-7-1 - it's always pretty sweet when that last WIN gets you the National Championship!

"No one expected Western Michigan to accomplish much this season"

That's the opening sentence to so many inspirational sports teams - the ones that weren't supposed to even make a dent in their conference,  let alone the Frozen Four. According wmubroncos "No one expected Western Michigan to accomplish much this season. The Broncos were outside the top 15 in the NCAA preseason poll and picked to finish sixth in the conference"

Pretty tough to stop a team with momentum

The Broncos started gathering steam - "...going on to win the NCHC regular season and tournament titles. They lost just one game in regulation during the regular season. Both titles were firsts for the program. The momentum continued into the NCAA Tournament, where the team earned a No. 1 seed. The Broncos took care of business in the regional, handing Minnesota State and UMass 2-1 losses. Then came another rematch with Denver in the program's first-ever Frozen Four"

Saturday's Final - Western Michigan 6 -  Boston University 2

Minot native Zach Nehring, at only a freshman, became a National Champion. Was this a big shocker to Zach and those who have grown up playing with him? Not all.

( SEE ALSO: MINOT NATIVE DESTINED FOR STARDOM IN THE NHL )