FARGO, N.D. – In a tightly contested battle of first-time opponents, Western Michigan came out on top in a 2-1 double overtime thriller.
With both teams showing more offensive intensity in overtime than in regulation, Grant Slukynsky finally ended things 7:14 into the second extra period by banking a shot off a Minnesota State player and past CCHA goaltender of the year Alex Tracy, who made 42 saves in an otherwise brilliant performance.
The Mavericks and Broncos played a defensive first period, limiting each other’s scoring chances on tight backchecking. But it wouldn’t take long for the region’s top-seeded Broncos to draw first blood in the second period.
With most of a tripping minor called on Adam Eisele carrying over, a Mavericks clearing attempt was blocked by Owen Michaels, who dished it to Liam Valente at the top of the right circle and he lit the lamp for the 13th time this season 49 seconds in.
Minnesota State, meanwhile, stepped up its game in the offensive zone from that point on in the frame, but Hampton Slukynsky had an answer each time between the WMU pipes while his teammates did a good job keeping Mankato’s forwards outside and unable to get down low much until the last few minutes. The game remained a one-goal difference after 40 minutes thanks largely to a huge glove save on a Josh Groll shot right in front with 30 seconds left.
Kaden Bohlsen finally got the Mavericks on the board in the first two minutes of the third, jamming a rebound home in traffic for his 12th and biggest goal of the season to tie the game at 1.
Unlike regulation, both teams had more scoring chances in the extra session after they showed more aggressiveness in the offensive zone. Grant Slukynsky’s goal finally ended the second-ever NCAA tournament victory for Western Michigan, which moves on to face the UMass-Minnesota winner Saturday.
