OXFORD, Ohio – In the final game of the regular season, the Western Michigan hockey team was able to erase a 4-2 deficit and claim a 5-4 victory over Miami (OH) Saturday night. Jason Polin's overtime winner tied the NCHC record for most goals in a season (29). 

After Miami took an early 1-0 lead, the Broncos' power play was quickly able to tie up the game, with Dylan Wendt lighting the lamp off of assists from Aidan Fulp and Ryan McAllister. Cole Gallant would then put Western Michigan in front, beating the Miami goaltender top shelf in the second period. Western Michigan then went down 4-2, but Max Sasson lit the lamp twice in the final minutes to send the game to overtime. Polin ended the game in overtime with his 29th goal of the season. 

Western Michigan got the first good look of the game as Chad Hillebrand was stopped right in front of the net by Logan Neaton. About two minutes later, Red Savage was able to clean up a rebound to put the RedHawks up 1-0 less than three minutes into the game. 

However, following that goal, WMU became the aggressors on offense. Polin, Jacob Bauer, Daniel Hilsendager and Hillebrand fired four shots on net over the course of 50 seconds. Still, Neaton was able to keep the puck out of the net. The Broncos' next chance came when Miami was called for too many men on the ice. Polin passed it to McAllister who found Fulp at the point. He fired a shot through traffic that Wendt was able to tip in. 

Moving to the middle portion of the period, Cedric Fiedler nearly put the Broncos ahead with a slap shot from the left circle. Neaton was able to secure the puck. Tim Washe was then sent to the penalty box for boarding, but the WMU defense stood tall. Miami had just two shots on the power play. With time winding down, Polin nearly put the Broncos in front with a wrist shot that was gloved by Neaton as he came sliding across the net. With that, the two teams remained tied after 20 minutes. 

Polin opened the period with another good look in front of the net, but his backhand attempt was pushed to the side by Neaton. Moments after that, Perbix dropped a pass off to Fulp who nearly connected on the Broncos' second goal of the game. Miami then went on the power play, with Hilsendager being sent off for holding. The Broncos would kill off the penalty and immediately go on the attack. Once again, it was Polin finding some space out front, but Neaton was able to send his shot away to keep things tied at 1-1. 

As the game moved to the middle part of the second frame, Cole Gallant had a chance on net that was saved by Neaton. Then it was Polin again with a one-timer from the slot off of a feed from Fulp. Neaton was somehow able to get a piece and push it away from trouble. After putting together a great offensive period, WMU finally broke through when Gallant ripped a shot top shelf over Neaton to give the Broncos a lead with just under six minutes left in the period. However, that lead would be short lived, with Jack Olmstead knotting things up about a minute later. The two teams would enter the third period tied at 2-2. 

Miami nearly took the lead in the opening minute of the final period, with the RedHawks unable to get a stick on a puck floating across the front of the net. After scoring three times yesterday, Max Sasson got an excellent look after beating his defender one-on-one in open space. Neaton got a pad on the shot and kept things tied at 2-2 early in the third period. But following that, Miami would fire a shot on net that was initially saved. However, it trickled behind Rowe and into the net, giving the RedHawks a 3-2 lead. 

Now in need of a goal to tie, the offense tried to apply some pressure. Getting a feed on a three-on-two break, Hillebrand was stopped by Neaton with just under 11 minutes remaining in the contest. Rowe was then able to make a great save on Jack Clement who nearly added Miami's fourth goal of the game. But Miami would eventually break through for another goal, with Dylan Moulton lighting the lamp for a 4-2 lead with under six minutes to play in the game. 

With time winding down, WMU pulled Rowe to gain the extra attacker, and the Broncos were able to pull within one. Sasson buried a one-timer with more than three minutes left to play. Assists went to Wendt and Polin. The Broncos continued to play with an extra attacker down the stretch as they looked for the game-tying goal. Moments after pulling within one, Sasson was able to tie the game. He found a bouncing puck in front and knew what to do with it. The two teams went to overtime tied at 4-4. 

It didn't take long for the Broncos to strike, as the nation's leading goal scorer tied the NCHC record for goals in a season. Polin lit the lamp just over 30 seconds into the extra period to collect his 29th goal of the season and secure the 5-4 victory. 

The Broncos will return to Kalamazoo next weekend to host the opening round of the NCHC Tournament. It will be a best-of-three series, with games taking place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, if necessary.