SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Western Michigan scored two goals in a 14-second span in the third period to beat No. 3 Notre Dame, 3-2, in front of 4,822 fans at Compton Family Ice Arena on Friday night.
Chase Balisy netted his eighth goal of the season at 12:07 in the third period on a power play goal from the right circle to tie the game at 2-2. Just 14 seconds later
Kyle O'Kane deflected in a shot by
Dan DeKeyser to give WMU a 3-2 lead.
Frank Slubowski made 24 saves to help the Broncos (11-7-5, 8-4-3-3 CCHA) hold on and move in sole possession of second place in the CCHA.
Western Michigan took an early 1-0 lead just 3:42 into the first period. A turnover created a two-on-one break for the Broncos and Balisy fed
Dane Walters for his 10th of the season.
The Broncos surrendered the lead at 11:48 on a goal by Sam Calabrese. Calabrese fired a wrister from the left circle through a screen and into the net to tie the game 1-1.
The Fighting Irish took a 2-1 lead at 7:42 in the second period after a Bronco turnover. T.J. Tynan picked up a loose puck and found Austin Wuthrich all alone in the slot and he beat Slubowski for his fifth goal of the season.
The Broncos had a five minute power play to wind down the second period but were unable to convert.
Notre Dame outshot the Broncos 26-25 but had 15 of their 26 shots in the first period.
Balisy registered his second straight multi-point game and extended his goal-scoring streak to four straight games.
WMU and Notre Dame meet for the final time of the regular season on Saturday night in Kalamazoo at 7:05 p.m.