GRAND FORKS, ND – Western Michigan dropped its series finale at No. 3 North Dakota, 3-0, on Saturday night at Ralph Engelstad Arena. 

The Broncos outshot the Fighting Hawks, 35-27, and won the faceoff battle, 32-20. 

FIRST PERIOD
After some back and forth action to open the period, UND was able to notch the game's first goal just over four minutes into the opening frame. 

A couple minutes later, the Fighting Hawks were sent off for tripping, as Alex Bump was taken down trying to make a play on the boards. The Broncos got a pair of looks from Zak Galambos and Bump but were unable to tie the game. 

A few minutes after the power play expired, Sam Colangelo nearly knotted the game at 1-1 with a blast from the right faceoff dot. Over the final five minutes of action in the first period, Bump and Matteo Costantini would get a couple more looks on UND netminder Ludvig Persson, but the Fighting Hawks would carry a one-goal lead into the second 20 minutes. 

SECOND PERIOD
After Cameron Rowe saved a UND shot early in the frame, Western Michigan would get the next three shots on net. Hugh Larkin, Daniel Hilsendager and Cole Crusberg-Roseen tested Persson, but the score remained 1-0 heading to the middle portion of the middle 20 minutes. 

Just over 13 minutes into the period, UND got its first power play of the night, with WMU getting sent to the penalty box for holding. The Brown and Gold limited the Fighting Hawks offensively, allowing just one total shot on the UND man advantage. 

As the period started to wind down, WMU got chances from Costantini and Cedric Fiedler, but North Dakota's defense would stand tall to keep it a 1-0 game heading into the third frame. 

THIRD PERIOD
The Broncos came out with high energy in the final period, getting a look from Samuel Sjolund in the opening minute of the period. Larkin and Crusberg-Roseen also had looks on net to start the period. 

However, North Dakota would find its second goal of the night over six minutes into the last frame. After a UND timeout, Carter Berger had a nice look on net that Persson was able to save. 

As the game moved to the back half of the period, the Fighting Hawks would add another tally to make the score 3-0 with under six minutes to play in the game. Western Michigan would get one more power play in the game with under five minutes left to play. 

The Broncos pulled their goalie to gain a 6-on-4 advantage, and it led to a wealth of offensive chances. However, nothing would find the back of the net, and North Dakota went on to win the game by a final score of 3-0. 

UP NEXT
Western Michigan returns home next weekend to take on Miami in the final regular season series of the year. Friday's series opener is set for 7 p.m. at Lawson Arena. The Broncos will have senior day on Saturday.