COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – By collecting a point in Saturday’s game, Western Michigan was able to win its series against Colorado College. The Broncos took four of six points from the Tigers.
Wyatt Schingoethe and Liam Valente scored goals for the Broncos, while Hampton Slukynsky made 20 saves in net. Alex Bump and Samuel Sjolund extended their point streaks to eight games.
FIRST PERIOD
Slukynsky saved a shot and the Broncos blocked another in the opening three minutes of the game. Eventually, Bump started an offensive surge for the Brown and Gold. His shot was saved along with looks from Matteo Costantini and Zack Sharp.
After the first media timeout, Brian Kramer and Cole Crusberg-Roseen had chances on net that were saved. Down the stretch of the frame, Ty Henricks would get a quality chance, but the two teams would end up going to the locker room tied at 0-0.
SECOND PERIOD
Though Western Michigan would get a few early chances, it would be Colorado College that would get on the board first. The Tigers tipped a puck out front to go in front 1-0. WMU challenged for goaltender interference after Slukynsky was hit, but the goal was upheld.
However, not even 20 seconds later, the Brown and Gold had a response. Thanks to some nice passing, Schingoethe found an open spot in front of the goal and fired a one-timer by CC goaltender Carsen Musser to even the game at 1-1.
Right after that, WMU was sent off for interference. Despite being down a man, Tim Washe was able to find the best chance in the two minutes. The Broncos worked back to full strength. A little bit later, Western Michigan would get a power play of its own.
WMU would get two shots, but nothing would come of the opportunity. Later in the period, though, CC’s Noah Laba crashed into Valente on the boards and was called for a major and game misconduct. The Broncos went to the power play for five minutes.
Just over 10 seconds in to the man advantage, Valente buried a one-timer to put the Broncos in front 2-1. The Brown and Gold carried just under three minutes of power play time into the third period.
THIRD PERIOD
CC was able to kill off the remaining time in the penalty to get back to full strength. After that, a bouncing puck deflected to the Tigers in the offensive zone. They tied the game at 2-2 with about 15 minutes to play in regulation.
Following the goal, WMU did what it does best and went back on the attack. Henricks got a shot in the slot that Musser was just able to save. As the game progressed, Slukynsky would make a great save to keep the game tied. CC had a 2-on-1 opportunity turned away by the freshman goaltender.
Then, on the other end, Bump made a nice move in the offensive zone and found some space. He fired a shot on net that was saved. Down the stretch, neither team would get a shot to find the back of the net and the game went to overtime.
OVERTIME
In overtime, WMU controlled much of the play, getting four shots. None of them would go in, and CC would eventually get a breakaway chance on net. The Tigers scored to claim the extra point in the conference standings.
UP NEXT
Western Michigan returns home to square off with St. Cloud State next weekend. Puck drop for Friday’s series opener at Lawson Arena is set for 7 PM.
