KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan dropped its first conference game of the season on Saturday night at Lawson Arena, falling 3-2 in overtime against No. 2 Denver. However, the Broncos won the series, collecting four of a possible six points on the weekend. 

WMU got goals from Alex Bump and Grant Slukynsky, while Hampton Slukynsky made 31 saves in net. As a team, the Broncos blocked 15 shots and were three-for-three on the penalty kill. 

FIRST PERIOD
Western Michigan picked up a penalty just 15 seconds into the game, getting sent off for slashing. Denver had one shot saved and WMU blocked another to get back to full strength. A few seconds after getting back to full strength, Tristan Lemyre had a shot saved by DU goaltender Matt Davis. 

Both teams traded blows in the middle portion of the period, with each goaltender making multiple saves to keep the game tied at 0-0. With under five minutes to play in the opening frame, the Broncos got their first power play of the night. 

Bump and Lemyre tested their luck on Davis, but nothing would come of the chances. Denver would get back to even strength with about two minutes to play in the period. The Pioneers had one last chance late in the period that Hampton Slukynsky was able to handle. The game remained tied at 0-0 going to the middle frame. 

SECOND PERIOD
Denver picked up a penalty in the opening minute of the middle period. WMU wouldn't get any shots on the man advantage and the Pioneers returned to full strength. However, a few seconds after the power play, Samuel Sjolund nearly opened the scoring. His shot rang off the post and kicked wide. 

Eventually, the Broncos would strike, as Bump found the back of the net for the second time in his last three games. Owen Michaels flicked a pass to Bump streaking down the middle of the ice and he fired a shot by Davis to give the Brown and Gold a one-goal lead in the middle of the second period. 

About a minute later, Denver would tie the game, with Zeev Buium tallying a goal. DU would then go back on the power play, thanks to a slashing penalty on WMU. The Pioneers hit the post and had another shot saved as the Broncos got back to full strength. 

A few minutes later, Western Michigan would get another slashing penalty. The Broncos were again strong, getting back to even strength without much hassle. The two teams would go to the third period tied at 1-1.

THIRD PERIOD
Bump and Brian Kramer had a pair of shots saved by Davis in the early part of the third period. The Broncos kept up that offensive intensity, eventually getting another shot by Davis with about 11 minutes to play in regulation. 

Iiro Hakkarainen won a battle on the boards and passed it off to Grant Slukynsky. He wristed a shot by Davis to give the Brown and Gold a 2-1 lead. The Pioneers ramped up their intensity, getting a few more looks on net as the clock started to wind down. 

Davis was eventually taken off the ice to gain the extra attacker. DU would find the back of the net to tie the game with just over a minute to go in the third period. The two teams would go to overtime tied at 2-2. 

OVERTIME
Neither team could find much offense, but a Bronco defender fell at center ice about two minutes into the extra session. That gave DU a breakaway chance, and Carter King would go on to win the game for the Pioneers. 

UP NEXT
WMU is off until the Great Lakes Invitational on Dec. 29-30. The Broncos open with Michigan Tech on Dec. 29 at 3:30 PM. The tournament is being held at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.