GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Western Michigan finished off a sweep of North Dakota, earning a 5-1 victory on Saturday night at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Alex Bump tallied two goals, while Ty Henricks, Owen Michaels and Liam Valente all had one a piece. Garrett Szydlowski and Matteo Costantini each had two assists. Hampton Slukynsky made 24 saves in net.
FIRST PERIOD
Slukynsky made a trio of saves in the opening minute of the game. However, WMU would get looks from Costantini and Iiro Hakkarainen a little bit later to get the offense started.
After a few more quality looks, Henricks danced his way through the offensive zone and beat the UND goaltender to put the Broncos up 1-0 with about eight minutes to play in the opening period. Moments later, WMU was given a penalty for tripping.
The Brown and Gold would allow just one shot, eventually getting back to even strength. Late in the period, UND was assessed a cross checking penalty, giving WMU a chance on the power play. After an Alex Bump shot was deflected, Costantini tipped the puck to Michaels who buried a shot into the back of the net to make it a 2-0 game.
The Broncos would carry that two-goal advantage into the second 20 minutes of play.
SECOND PERIOD
The Brown and Gold struck early in the second period, getting a goal from Valente. Szydlowski made a nice move in the offensive zone to free himself, getting the puck to the stick of Valente. The junior from Sweden buried the shot to make it a 3-0 game just over six minutes into the second frame.
A few minutes later, WMU would go on the penalty kill. The Broncos blocked a pair of shots and got back to full strength with relative ease. North Dakota would eventually get on the board, scoring with just under six minutes to play in the middle period.
However, as it did all weekend, Western Michigan was able to respond. Bump skated his way into the slot and ripped a shot that was initially saved. But he followed his miss and tapped in the rebound to push the WMU lead back to three.
The Broncos entered the third period leading 4-1.
THIRD PERIOD
Slukynsky had another nice save in the opening minutes of the final period, keeping it a three-goal game. A few minutes later, Valente nearly added a fifth goal. He was stopped by UND’s goaltender.
After a few more good looks from the Broncos, UND was given another penalty. This one was for tripping. Bump continued his fantastic weekend, netting his fourth goal of the series and ninth of the season to make it a 5-1 game. Assists went to Samuel Sjolund and Costantini.
North Dakota wouldn’t get too many more chances on net, while Western Michigan kept up its offensive pressure. Down the stretch, Zack Sharp and Zach Bade had looks on net saved. In the end, the Brown and Gold would go on to win 5-1.
UP NEXT
The Broncos return home to square off with Miami next weekend. The series opener on Jan. 24 is set for 7 PM at Lawson Arena.
