KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan dropped its series opener to No. 3 North Dakota tonight at Lawson Arena. 

Liam Valente, Zach Bookman and Zaccharya Wisdom each lit the lamp in the setback. Hampton Slukynsky made 16 saves in net. 

FIRST PERIOD
After some fast-paced action to start the game, North Dakota was the first team to hit the scoreboard. The Hawks hit the back of the net about five minutes into the opening frame. However, the Brown and Gold had the answer a little over a minute later. 

Valente broke by the ND defense and William Whitelaw found him in the clear. The Swedish forward slid the puck between Jan Spunar's legs to even the game at 1-1. Following a couple more strong chances from WMU, North Dakota would regain the lead 2-1. 

Western Michigan got the game's first power play with under five minutes to play in the period. Zack Sharp had the best look, but UND would work back to even strength and carry a one-goal lead into the second 20 minutes of play. 

SECOND PERIOD
WMU got early chances from Colby Woogk and Garrett Szydlowski to start the second frame. From there, Zach Nehring would ring a shot off the post just over seven minutes in. Eventually, the persistence would pay off, as Bookman rifled a shot from the point that found twine to tie the game at 2-2. 

In the back half of the period, North Dakota would get an odd-man rush and didn't waste the chance. The Fighting Hawks jumped back in front with four minutes to play in the middle period. Bobby Cowan and Samuel Sjolund had great chances to end the period, but Western Michigan trailed by one going to the third. 

THIRD PERIOD
UND went up 4-2 early in the final period, but Western Michigan went on the power play pretty quickly after that. WMU would generate a few chances, but the Hawks would get back to 5-on-5 hockey. 

After some back-and-forth action in the middle portion of the period, the Broncos pulled their goalie with time winding down. Zaccharya Wisdom lit the lamp to bring the home team back within one with a little over two minutes to play. The goal was his 16th of the season. 

Needing one more to tie, the Brown and Gold pulled the goalie one more time. However, North Dakota would find the empty net to close out a 5-3 win. 

UP NEXT
The two teams will square off again tomorrow night at 6 PM at Lawson Arena.