KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University's hockey team battled No. 11 Notre Dame to a 2-2 overtime tie, but ultimately fell in a shootout loss in front of 3,057 fans at Lawson Arena Saturday night.
A shootout goal from Ben Ryan was enough for the Irish, as none of the Broncos three shooters were able to capitalize. The Broncos earned their first point in CCHA play with the overtime tie.
Goaltender Mike Johnson led the way for the Irish with 29 saves, in addition to stopping all three WMU efforts in the shootout.
Western Michigan (4-2-2, 0-1-1 CCHA) was led by a productive night from the forward line of Chase Balisy, Kyle O'Kane and Shane Berschbach. Balisy tallied both of the Broncos goals to bring his season total to three, while O'Kane and Bershbach had helpers on each of his goals. The Brown & Gold also got another solid goaltending effort from Nick Pisellini, who turned away 19 shots.
Tonight's performance capped an outstanding weekend for the freshman Balisy, who totaled his fist three collegiate goals in the series.
The Irish wasted no time getting on the board early, tallying their first goal just 1:14 into the contest. Ben Ryan fired a cross-ice pass to Ryan Guentzel, who drew Pisellini out of position and centered the puck to Anders Lee, who deflected the puck into a wide-open net for his second goal of the series and sixth of the season.
The Broncos struck back on the power play at 13:55 of the first period, as Balisy struck for his first goal of the night. He joined Bershbach and O'Kane in a three-on-two rush, picked up a loose puck at the right doorstep and found the back of the net to knot the score at 1-1. Neither team was able to add to the score, and the teams went to the first intermission tied.
The Brown & Gold outshot the Irish 12-6 in the period and 31-21 for the game.
Balisy struck again with his second goal of the game 2:44 into the second period. Berschbach fed off to O'Kane, who carried the puck into the Irish zone on an odd-man rush. O'Kane made a slick pass to Balisy who split two Irish defenders and beat Johnson stick side with a backhanded shot to give the Broncos a 2-1 advantage.
The line of O'Kane, Berschbach and Balisy continued to keep the pressure on the Irish in generating several quality chances on the power play, but were unable to add to the 2-1 advantage.
Notre Dame knotted the game at 2-2 when Jeff Costello cashed in on a rebound off a long shot by Kevin Lind for his first goal of the season. Sean Lorenz was also credited with an assist on the tally, which came at the 16:37 mark of the second period.
Neither team was able to capitalize in the final stanza or overtime, despite a flurry of action on both ends. Each goaltender made several key saves to keep the score tied.
The Broncos will continue CCHA play next weekend when they host in-state rival Michigan State Friday and Saturday night at Lawson Arena. Start time for each contest is set for 7:35 p.m.
