GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- It had been a while since North Dakota had been blanked at home, but Western Michigan was able to accomplish that feat tonight, earning a 4-0 victory over the Fighting Hawks at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The Broncos were the last team to shutout UND on their home ice, which came back in 2018. The Broncos were also the last team to shutout the Fighting Hawks, which happened last season at Lawson Arena. 

Jason Polin continued his hot stretch, collecting two more goals, making it eight goals in his last eight games. Jack Perbix and Cedric Fiedler also lit the lamp for the Broncos, as Perbix found himself alone in front of the net for the game's first goal and Fiedler's shot put the Broncos ahead 2-0 in the second period. Cameron Rowe earned the shutout and tallied 25 saves on the night. 

North Dakota was carrying the play for a good portion of the first 10 minutes, but it was the Broncos who got on the board first. Zak Galambos threw the puck out in front of the net and it made its way across to a wide-open Perbix who banged home the game's opening goal. That would prove to be enough, as Rowe would stop every shot that came his way. 

The second period opened with a flurry of shots from WMU, but none would find the back of the net. A major turning point in the game was the Broncos' ability to kill off a 5-on-3 penalty at the 7:50 mark of the second period. The Fighting Hawks got six shots, but Rowe and the WMU defense were able to maintain the 1-0 advantage. From there, the Western Michigan offense started to put some pressure on UND, and was rewarded with a Fiedler goal at the 15:20 mark of the period.

The Fighting Hawks would pick up a major penalty at the end of the second period, giving the Broncos a five-minute power play that extended in to the final 20 minutes of play. The Broncos capitalized and extended their lead, as Polin lit the lamp for the 20th time this season. Ryan McAllister and Max Sasson earned assists on the power play goal. Western Michigan continued to pepper shots at the net, and eventually Polin added an empty-net goal to give the Broncos a 4-0 victory. 

The Broncos will look for a series sweep against the Fighting Hawks tomorrow night, as the two teams battle at Ralph Engelstad Arena at 7 PM.