Skip To Main Content

Western Michigan University Athletics

Strong Third Period Leads WMU to Win Over St. Cloud

Men's Ice Hockey WMU

Broncos Fall in OT to No. 1 North Dakota, 3-2

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Drake Caggiula netted the game-winning goal with 1:29 remaining in overtime as the Western Michigan hockey team fel to No. 1 North Dakota, 3-2, in front of a capacity crowd of 3,807 fans at Lawson Ice Arena on Saturday night.

Nick Mattson found Caggiula in front of the net and the junior forward spun and fired a back-hander over Lukas Hafner to complete the sweep of the Broncos.

Western Michigan (12-14-4, 5-11-4-3 NCHC) was down 2-0 late in the third period when Mark MacMillan was called for roughing at 15:05. On the ensuing power play WMU head coach Andy Murray pulled Hafner to give the team a 6-on-4 advantage. Taylor Fleming fired a shot from the right point and Will Kessel deflected it into the net for his sixth goal of the season.

With the lead cut to 2-1 the Broncos once again pulled Hafner and Justin Kovacs was able to punch in the puck from the slot after Kessel passed him the puck from the side of the net, tying the game 2-2 on his fifth goal of the season.

UND took a 1-0 lead at 9:40 in the second period. A puck was misplayed and Michael Parks found himself with an empty net for the easy goal and his 12th of the season.

North Dakota went up 2-0 at 4:20 in the third period. Paul LaDue fired a wrist shot past Hafner from the left edge of the right circle for his fourth goal of the season before WMU went on its run.

Overall the Broncos outshot UND 36-30 on the night. North Dakota goalie Zane McIntyre made 34 saves, including eight on the penalty kill, while Hafner made 27 for the night. WMU finished 1-for-4 on the power play and held North Dakota scoreless on five attempts.

Western Michigan heads on the road for the final time of the regular season at Colorado College next Friday at 9:37 p.m. ET and on Saturday at 9:07 p.m.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Will Kessel

#29 Will Kessel

F
6' 2"
Senior
Justin Kovacs

#17 Justin Kovacs

F
5' 11"
Senior
Taylor Fleming

#20 Taylor Fleming

D
5' 11"
Junior
Lukas Hafner

#55 Lukas Hafner

G
6' 0"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Will Kessel

#29 Will Kessel

6' 2"
Senior
F
Justin Kovacs

#17 Justin Kovacs

5' 11"
Senior
F
Taylor Fleming

#20 Taylor Fleming

5' 11"
Junior
D
Lukas Hafner

#55 Lukas Hafner

6' 0"
Senior
G