Western Michigan has moved into a tie for third place in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.
The visiting Broncos pulled out a 3-2 win in overtime Friday night at Minnesota-Duluth, as Max Sasson backhanded home a loose puck just over two minutes into the extra session before 6,316 fans at Amsoil Arena. The goal came after he had attempted a centering pass from behind UMD's net.
Quinn Olson's extra-attacker goal with exactly one minute remaining in regulation had pulled the host Bulldogs (12-14-1 overall) into a 2-2 tie, after Luke Grainger's power-play goal midway through the second period put No. 10 WMU (18-10-1) ahead by a goal. WMU had taken a 1-0 lead early in the first period on a shorthanded goal by Jason Pollin, his nation-leading 24th goal of the 2022-23 season, before Ben Stevees knotted matters less than eight minutes later for UMD.
Cameron Rowe made 32 saves for the Broncos, while Zach Stejskal recorded 28 stops for the Bulldogs, as UMD outshot WMU, 34-31. The two teams, who will finish their two-game series tonight in Duluth, combined to go 1-for-6 on the power play, while WMU won 41 of 75 faceoffs overall.
WMU is now tied with Nebraska-Omaha for third place in the NCHC with 30 points apiece, although Omaha has a game in hand. Defending NCAA champion Denver is in first place with 32 points, while St. Cloud State is right behind DU with 31 points.
