GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The Western Michigan hockey team dropped its second straight on the road at No. 7 North Dakota, 5-2, on Saturday night but clinched home ice for the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Quarterfinals after losses by Minnesota-Duluth and Omaha.

The Broncos picked up goals from Jason Polin and Josh Passolt but were only able to get two past UND goalie Zach Driscoll. WMU was outshot 27-23 on the night and went 1-for-4 on the power play.

North Dakota jumped out to a 3-0 lead on goals by Luke Bast at 2:34, Louis Jamernik at 6:12 and Judd Caufield at 12:15 in the first period.

WMU responded on the power play with 24 seconds left in the period on the goal by Polin. Tim Washe had the puck below the goal line to the right of the net and dropped a no-look pass to Polin at the bottom edge of the right circle. Polin punched it in for his career-high 14th goal of the season.

Caufield scored his second of the night at 7:39 in the second period with a short-handed goal to push the Fighting Hawks ahead 4-1.

The Broncos were able to get it back down to two after a highlight-reel goal by Passolt at 8:21 in the third period but Carson Albrecht countered with a goal at 13:42 to set the score at 5-2.

Western Michigan fans can purchase NCHC Quarterfinals tickets at www.wmubroncos.com/tickets. The Broncos are back at home next weekend to wrap up the regular season against Miami on Friday and Saturday at 7:05 p.m.