DETROIT – Sophomore forward Colt Conrad scored 11:55 into the overtime period as the Western Michigan hockey team claimed the final Great Lakes Invitational Championship to be played at Joe Louis Arena after defeating Michigan Tech, 1-0, on Friday night.

Freshman Wade Allison fed Conrad at the far post and he punched it in for his fourth goal of the season and the win. Freshman goalie Ben Blacker made 23 saves to earn his first career shutout. Blacker, Corey Schueneman and Matheson Iacopelli were named to the GLI All-Tournament Team, while Conrad was voted Most Valuable Player. 

Western Michigan had a goal taken off the board just 1:19 into the first period. Allison scored from the slot but Michigan Tech challenged the goal. The referees ruled that WMU entered the zone offside and the goal was disallowed. Griffen Molino had the team's best scoring chance late in the period but MTU goalie Angus Redmond stoned him on the breakaway. 

Neither team put the puck past either goalie in the second period. MTU had three power plays including a five-on-three for 1:57 at the end of the period. The Bronco defense blocked several shots and was able to clear the zone three times to kill both power plays off.

WMU turned on the pressure late in the third period with chances from Schueneman and McGing but the teams had to settle to head for overtime.

The Broncos held the Huskies scoreless on five power plays, including a major power play during the overtime. WMU outshot MTU 25-23 on the night, with Sheldon Dries leading the team with four. Western Michigan blocked 21 shots, led by Luke Bafia and Taylor Fleming with four each.

WMU is off next weekend and returns to action on Jan. 13 and 14 at home against No. 2 Denver. Friday's game starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be televised on American Sports network. Saturday's game returns to the normal start time of 7 p.m.