Ty Henricks tied the game on a third-period power play, William Whitelaw scored the only goal of the shootout, and No. 5 Western Michigan earned a 2-2 tie and the extra conference point at North Dakota on Friday night in the NCHC opener at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks. Quentin Miller made 24 saves for the Broncos, who are 6-1-1 (NCAA records count a shootout game as a tie). North Dakota is 4-3-1.
How it happened
Adam Benák gave Western Michigan the lead just 52 seconds into the game, scoring unassisted for his fourth goal of the season. North Dakota answered on the power play at 6:25, when Malinoski scored from Kernan and Laurila.
The Fighting Hawks went ahead 41 seconds into the second period on Boser’s goal, assisted by Josephson and Croal, and they controlled much of the middle frame, outshooting the Broncos 13-3.
Western Michigan pushed back in the third, putting eight shots on goal, and tied it at 15:22. Henricks scored on the power play, his fourth goal of the season, with assists from Joona Väisänen and Tommy Lafrenière. Neither team scored in overtime.
In the shootout, Whitelaw scored on the Broncos’ first attempt, and Miller stopped all three North Dakota shooters: Zellers, Simpson, and Lindberg.
By the numbers
North Dakota outshot Western Michigan 26-17. Miller stopped 24 of 26 shots, and Špunar made 15 saves on 17 for UND. The Broncos went 1-for-6 on the power play and North Dakota 1-for-4. UND won 30 of 54 faceoffs.
What’s next
The teams play again Saturday at 7 p.m. ET in Grand Forks, streaming on NCHC.TV. Western Michigan then hosts Colorado College at Lawson Arena on Nov. 13 and 14.
Mitten Hockey’s preview: Western Michigan Game Preview: at North Dakota (Nov. 6).
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