Western Michigan Outlasts UMD, 3-2, in OT

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.

Day Two of 2021 NCAA Tournament Done

The second day of the 2021 NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Championship is done, with two regionals completed and two more to go.

Bridgeport, CT Regional

Massachusetts 4, Bemidji State 0

St. Lawrence transfer Carson Gicewicz recorded his first collegiate hat trick, on three goals spanning the first two periods of play, as the Hockey East champion Minutemen punched their ticket to their second straight Frozen Four.

Fargo, ND Regional

Minnesota-Duluth 3, North Dakota 2 (5 OT)

Luke Mylymok, son of former Alaska Anchorage defenseman Jeremy Mylymok, notched the game-winner for UMD 2:13 into the fifth extra session to end the NCAA tournament's longest-ever game and send the two-time defending national champion Bulldogs to their fourth consecutive Frozen Four. Ryan Fanti picked up the win in net, making six saves over the last 17 minutes of overtime after he relieved Zach Stejskal (57 saves) after the latter left the game due to cramps.

Albany, NY Regional

St. Cloud State 6, Boston University 2

The Huskies scored three times in each of the last two periods, including a penalty-shot goal by Jami Krannila, while Nolan Walker posted three assists. SCSU will now meet Boston College in the regional final on Sunday (5:30 p.m., ESPN2). 

Loveland, CO Regional

Minnesota State 4, Quinnipiac 3 (OT)

The Mavericks tallied two goals twice in the last five minutes of the third period, then won it on Ryan Sandelin's overtime goal for their first-ever victory in the NCAA tournament. 

Minnesota 7, Omaha 2

The Golden Gophers raced out to a 3-0 first-period lead and cruised to their first NCAA tournament victory since 2014.  Brock Faber set up five goals for Minnesota, which will meet MSU on Sunday in the regional final (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2).