KALAMAZOO, Mich. – After battling back from down two goals, the Western Michigan hockey team was upended in overtime, 6-5, on Saturday night at Lawson Arena. However, the Broncos still won the series by taking four of the six points. 

WMU got two goals from Joe Cassetti, while Ethan Phillips, Hugh Larkin and Samuel Sjolund each had one. Sjolund's goal was the first of his career. 

FIRST PERIOD
After some back and forth play to open the game, Denver was able to get the first tally. A few minutes later, DU was sent to the box for slashing, giving WMU the first power play of the night. 

Sjolund had a pair of shots on the advantage, but nothing would find the back of the net, and the Pioneers would return to full strength. Eventually, DU would get a power play of its own and made the most of the chance, extending the lead to 2-0. 

However, not even a minute later, Cassetti brought the Broncos within one with a nice goal. Assists went to Carter Berger and Sjolund. Denver would add a power play goal about 13 minutes into the first period to take a 3-1 lead. 

The Broncos fought back, however, getting another goal just over one minute later. Phillips ripped a shot by the DU goaltender to bring WMU back within one going into the second period. 

SECOND PERIOD
Under a minute into the second 20 minutes, Denver added their fourth goal. Still, Western Michigan continued to battle and kept itself in the game. 

During the middle portion of the second frame, the Broncos were able to kill off a couple penalties to keep it a two-goal game. The offense started to pick up late in the period, and WMU found the back of the net late in the frame. 

Larkin used a nice pass from Matteo Costantini to get the Broncos back within one entering the third period. 

THIRD PERIOD
Not even a minute into the third frame, Sjolund netted the first goal of his career, making a nice move in front of the net. That tied the game at 4-4. 

The two teams battled back and forth through the middle portion of the third period before Denver finally broke through and took the lead with under five minutes to play. 

As it had all game, Western Michigan continued to battle, eventually pulling its goalie to gain the extra attacker. Sam Colangelo and Phillips had shots saved before Cassetti was able to bury home the game-tying goal with under 30 seconds to play. 

OVERTIME
After a Luke Grainger shot was saved in the opening minute of the overtime period, Denver was able to net the game-winning goal to grab the 6-5 victory. 

UP NEXT
WMU will have some time off before hosting Western Ontario in an exhibition game on Dec. 30.