DULUTH, Minn. – The Western Michigan hockey team fell on the road, 5-0, at No. 8/9 Minnesota-Duluth, in the first game of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Quarterfinals at AMSOIL Arena on Friday night.

The Bulldogs shutout the Broncos for the third time this season, thanks to sophomore goalie Hunter Shepard and his game-high 26 saves. Ben Blacker made 11 saves in 35:19 of ice time, filling in for Austin Cain, who was pulled in the second period.

WMU was unable to convert on an early power play in the first period and the Bulldogs took advantage, capitalizing on their first chance of the game. Avery Peterson finished off a centering pass from Nick Swaney with the man advantage to go up 1-0 at 4:55.

UMD added another power play goal at 14:08 in the first period. Riley Tufte banged in a rebound on a shot by Joey Anderson to put the Bulldogs up 2-0.

Minnesota-Duluth took advantage of a Western Michigan turnover to go up 3-0 just 3:34 into the second period. Anderson fired a shot on net but Cain left a rebound on the slot and Scott Perunovich punched it in.

The Bulldogs went a perfect 3-for-3 on the power play just over a minute later at 4:41, with Peter Krieger scoring from the slot to push the lead to 4-0.

Blake Young added a short-handed goal late in the third period at 17:54 to set the final.

WMU must win on Saturday night to force a game three or see its season end. Puck drop is set for 8:07 p.m. and can be seen live on NCHC.tv.