GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Tim Washe's overtime goal lifted Western Michigan to a 4-3 victory over Michigan Tech in the opening round of the Great Lakes Invitational on Sunday afternoon at Van Andel Arena. 

The win moved WMU's record to 11-3-1 overall. Along with Washe, the Broncos got goals from Robby Drazner, Liam Valente and Owen Michaels. Samuel Sjolund had a pair of assists in the win. In net, Cameron Rowe was able to stop 28 shots. 

FIRST PERIOD
The Broncos got an early look on the power play, thanks to a slashing call on the Huskies. Alex Bump had a pair of chances on the man advantage, but MTU was able to get back to full strength. Following the power play, Cam Knuble tried his luck on net, with his shot being turned away by the Michigan Tech goaltender. 

As the period moved to the back half, WMU was sent off for holding. The Broncos did well to get back to full strength, stopping three shots and blocking two more. The Brown and Gold would strike with about three seconds left in the period, thanks to some relentless offensive pressure.  

Matteo Costantini fired a shot on net that eventually hit Iiro Hakkarainen's stick. He had a shot saved before Drazner buried the rebound home for the game's first goal. The tally was Drazner's third of the season and gave the Broncos a 1-0 lead going into the second frame. 

SECOND PERIOD
Rowe made a pair of strong saves in the opening 30 seconds of the period to keep it a one-goal WMU lead. Following that, Washe and Bump had tries on net turned away by MTU. After a Hakkarainen shot was saved, MTU was sent off for hooking. 

It didn't take long for the Broncos to make the Huskies pay, as Valente lit the lamp 10 seconds into the man advantage. He used assists from Michaels and Sjolund. That put the Brown and Gold in front 2-0 with just under 10 minutes to play in the middle period. 

WMU went right back to the power play, with Michigan Tech getting called for another hooking penalty. Michaels had a good look, but the Huskies worked their way back to full strength. With under two minutes to play in the middle frame, MTU found the back of the net to bring the game back within one. 

The Brown and Gold carried a one-goal lead into the final 20 minutes of regulation. 

THIRD PERIOD
Grant Slukynsky had a shot saved in the early portion of the third period, while Washe and Zack Sharp had shots blocked. The Broncos controlled much of the play in the early part of the period, eventually getting rewarded with a goal just over seven minutes in. 

Bump slid a nice pass to Michaels, and he fired a shot over the shoulder of the MTU goaltender to make it a 3-1 game. Sjolund also picked up an assist on the play. In the back half of the period, the Huskies made things interesting, getting a goal with just over nine minutes to play. 

After a few strong chances from Western Michigan, Michigan Tech found the equalizer with under four minutes to play. From there, WMU would get five more shots on net. However, the game would go to overtime with the score tied at 3-3. 

OVERTIME
Rowe made a sprawling save on a 2-on-1 opportunity for the Huskies, eventually smothering the puck to force a faceoff. WMU won the faceoff and chipped the puck ahead to Washe. He rifled a shot by the goaltender for the game-winning goal. 

UP NEXT
WMU will get the winner of Northern Michigan and Michigan State in tomorrow's GLI Championship game. The contest is set for 7 PM at Van Andel Arena.