No. 5 Western Michigan opened NCHC play with a 2-2 tie and a shootout win at No. 10 North Dakota on Friday, then lost 4-1 on Saturday at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The Broncos left Grand Forks at 6-2-1, and North Dakota is 5-3-1.
What changed
The first goal set the tone both nights. On Friday, Benák scored 52 seconds in, Ty Henricks tied it on a third-period power play, and William Whitelaw scored the only goal of the shootout. On Saturday, North Dakota scored 1:14 into the game, led 3-0 by the middle of the second period, and held Western Michigan to 18 shots.
The Broncos’ power play went 1-for-9 over the weekend, and UND outshot them 54-35 across the two games.
Standouts
Benák scored in both games and has five goals this season. Quentin Miller made 48 saves in the series, including three stops in Friday’s shootout. For North Dakota, Croal had two goals and an assist Saturday.
What’s next
Western Michigan hosts Colorado College at Lawson Arena on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 14, at 6 p.m.
Game recaps: Nov. 6 and Nov. 7.
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