KALAMAZOO, Mich. – William Whitelaw's two goals helped Western Michigan pick up a pivotal 3-2 victory over No. 4 Minnesota Duluth on Saturday night at Lawson Arena. 

Outside of Whitelaw, Zack Sharp was able to net his third goal of the season. Six different players recorded assists, including goaltender Hampton Slukynsky. He earned the win in the contest, making 18 saves in net. 

FIRST PERIOD
The Broncos came out with high energy, getting the first three shots of the game. Grant Slukynsky had a great look saved just out front of the net. From there, both teams started to find offensive chances, but UMD would breakthrough and take a 1-0 lead about midway through the frame. 

Duluth would then get the game's first power play, with WMU sent off for tripping. The Brown and Gold limited the Bulldogs to just two shots and got back to full strength. Down the stretch, Bobby Cowan had a shot robbed by UMD goaltender Adam Gajan to keep the game 1-0 heading into the second 20 minutes of action. 

SECOND PERIOD
Western Michigan did well to control much of the early portion of the second period. Thanks to some nice passing, Whitelaw found some space behind the UMD defense and hit twine for his eighth goal of the season. That made the score 1-1. 

The Brown and Gold continued to apply pressure, with Liam Valente and Cole Crusberg-Roseen testing Gajan in the middle portion of the frame. However, after a shot from the point bounced around out front, Duluth was able to take a 2-1 lead. 

Down the stretch of the period, Owen Michaels had a nice chance saved by Gajan. The visitors took a one-goal lead to the third period. 

THIRD PERIOD
The Broncos took control early in the third frame, getting a trio of shots. Garrett Szydlowski had a pair of looks right out front of the goal. Not too long after that, Sharp fired a shot top shelf to knot the game at 2-2. 

After some up-and-down action, Grant Slukynsky nearly put the Brown and Gold in front. In the final minutes, Valente and Zaccharya Wisdom had shots miss wide of the net, and the two teams went to overtime. 

OVERTIME
It was all Broncos in the extra session, as Whitelaw found the first look on net. Zach Nehring and Crusberg-Roseen nearly won the game moments later, shooting from the high slot. But Whitelaw would prove to be the hero, taking the puck coast-to-coast to beat Gajan for the game-winning goal with less than two minutes to play in the overtime session. 

UP NEXT
The Broncos will have some time off before heading to Milwaukee for the Kwik Trip Holiday Faceoff. The Brown and Gold open with Boston College on Dec. 28. Time is still TBD.