FARGO, N.D. – Western Michigan punched its ticket to the Frozen Four for the first time in program history with a 2-1 victory over UMass on Saturday night at Scheels Arena. The win was WMU's 32nd of the season, which ties a program record.
Special teams paved the way, as the Broncos tallied two power-play goals to claim the win.
Liam Valente knotted the game in the second period, and
Tim Washe provided the game winner in the third period.
Hampton Slukynsky made 28 saves in net to earn his 17th win of the season.
Valente was named the Fargo Regional's Most Outstanding Player, while
Samuel Sjolund and
Hampton Slukynsky were selected to the All-Regional Team.
FIRST PERIOD
The Broncos got the first shot of the game, as
Grant Slukynsky fired a shot into the chest of the UMass goaltender. Slukynsky would get another chance a few moments later, but the Minutemen would clean up the trouble.
Eventually, UMass would get on the board in the middle portion of the first frame. Slukynsky then saved a trio of shots a few moments following that tally. With about four minutes left in the opening period, the Minutemen got the first power play of the night.
On the man advantage, WMU blocked two shots and Slukynsky made two saves to help the Brown and Gold get back to even strength. Down the stretch,
Robby Drazner would get one more chance for the Broncos, but UMass carried a one-goal lead into the middle stanza.
SECOND PERIOD
Owen Michaels had a shot on net nearly tie the game, but UMass was again able to clear the chance. A little later, Bump tried his luck on net, and he was denied. Things started to heat up in the back half of the middle frame.
WMU was given a tripping penalty with about seven minutes left in the period. Slukynsky made a save on the Minutemen's lone shot, and the Broncos worked back to full strength. Following that, WMU got its first power play of the night. The Brown and Gold got three high-quality chances, but nothing would find the back of the net. UMass returned to even strength.
However, just a few moments later, the Minutemen were assessed a major and game misconduct for boarding. That gave the Broncos five minutes on the power play. It didn't' take long for Western Michigan to strike, as Valente ripped a one-timer into the back of the net to tie the game about 20 seconds in.
UMass would get to the end of the frame, but WMU carried 3:14 of power play time into the third period.
THIRD PERIOD
With time ticking down in the major penalty,
Brian Kramer zipped a shot at the net, and Washe redirected it into the net to give the Broncos a 2-1 advantage.
However, a little bit after that, WMU was given a major penalty. That set UMass up on a five-minute power play of its own. As it has all season, Western Michigan stood tall on the penalty kill and got back to full strength. Slukynsky saved one shot and the Broncos blocked three others on the crucial kill.
UMass eventually pulled its goalie to try and knot the game at 2-2. The Broncos fended off three shots and forced a faceoff outside of the zone with three seconds left. WMU won the faceoff and the party began on the ice. Players jumped over the boards and lifted the Regional Championship trophy.
UP NEXT
Western Michigan will head to St. Louis for the Frozen Four in a couple weeks. The Broncos will see the winner of Denver and Boston College. Times for that matchup will be determined at a later date.
WMU ticket information for the Frozen Four will become available on Sunday, with ticket requests through WMU beginning Monday morning at 10AM.
