KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan picked up a point in the series finale against North Dakota, securing the outright Penrose Cup and the No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCHC Tournament. The Broncos fell 4-3 in overtime on Saturday night at Lawson Arena.
WMU got two goals from Ty Henricks and another from Robby Drazner. Hampton Slukynsky made 14 saves in net.
FIRST PERIOD
Slukynsky saved a pair of shots in the opening two minutes of the period, helping WMU gain some momentum on offense. After a few strong chances, WMU broke through about six and a half minutes into the frame. Tim Washe won the draw back to Drazner, and he ripped a shot by the UND goaltender to make it 1-0 Broncos.
The Brown and Gold continued to threaten, eventually earning a power play opportunity with under five minutes to play. WMU didn’t get a shot to find the back of he net, and the Fighting Hawks returned to even strength. Down the stretch of the period, Grant Slukynsky and Henricks had shots saved.
WMU carried a one-goal advantage into the second 20 minutes of play.
SECOND PERIOD
North Dakota was sent off for boarding early in the second frame, giving WMU another chance on the power play. Alex Bump had the best look of the man advantage, but the Fighting Hawks were able to get back to even strength.
In the back half of the period, UND would tie the game. Moments after that, the Fighting Hawks went to the power play. WMU’s great penalty kill had no issue getting back to full strength, holding North Dakota without a shot on the power play.
With under two minutes to play in the frame, UND found a loose puck in the offensive zone and scored to make it 2-1. The Fighting Hawks would take that lead to the third period.
THIRD PERIOD
Just over 30 seconds into the third frame, WMU was sent off for tripping. UND would only get one shot on the power play, and the Broncos got back to full strength. After some back-and-forth action, Henricks knotted the game at 2-2 by tapping home a loose puck in front of the net. The goal was his fourth of the season.
He wasn’t done there, as he pushed the Brown and Gold in front with a one-timer about two minutes later. Following that, UND was sent off for cross checking. WMU got two shots before committing a penalty of its own.
After playing 4-on-4 for a bit, the two teams both returned to even strength. Late in the third frame, the Fighting Hawks pulled their goalie looking for the equalizer. They would net a goal with 36 seconds left to force overtime.
OVERTIME
In overtime, the Broncos controlled much of the opening minute. Bump ripped a shot that nearly found the back of the net. WMU was eventually given a penalty, giving UND a 4-on-3.
After the referees missed UND covering the puck in the crease, the Fighting Hawks went down to score the game-winning goal.
UP NEXT
The Broncos will hit the road for one last regular season series next weekend. WMU will take on Miami on March 7-8 in Oxford, Ohio.
