Broncos lose to North Dakota 5-3

Grand Forks, North Dakota – Despite controlling most of the plays and outscoring North Dakota State 37-17, Western Michigan lost by a final score of 5-3 on Friday night at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

samuel sjoland, Daniel Hilsenderger and Matteo Costantini I counted the Broncos' goals. Hilsendager's goal was his first of the season, and Costantini had two points in his return to Grand Forks.

The Brown and Gold dominated in almost every aspect of the game, leading in shots on goal and faceoff wins, but held North Dakota to just one shot on three power plays. UND had just two shots in the final period, one of which was aimed at an empty net.

first period
The Fighting Hawks opened the game with a goal in the first two minutes and took an early 1-0 lead. But minutes after that goal, the Broncos would receive their first power play of the night.

Luke Grainger It looked its best on the man advantage, but North Dakota would eventually get back to full strength. Not long after returning to full strength, UND extended its lead to his 2-0.

But the brown and gold would answer: carter burger He threw the puck into the net, but it hit Sjoland's stick. He put a shot under the crossbar to put the Broncos back within one point.

A longer period would result in WMU receiving minor penalties in quick succession. Western Michigan was ejected for holding and faceoff violation. The Broncos ended the first frame erasing more than half of UND's two-man advantage. North Dakota went to midfield with 51 seconds left on the power play.

Second period
UND was scoreless on a 5-on-3 run to start the period, but the Fighting Hawks scored just over a minute into the second frame to extend their lead to 3-1.

Then, UND was ejected for an elbow strike, and WMU reaffirmed its man advantage. The Broncos would take four shots on the power play, but North Dakota would eventually get back to full strength.

Just a few minutes later, WMU got another power play. alex bump and Tim Wash They'll be going for the brown and gold, but UND will again negate the penalty. North Dakota scored another goal in the second half and held a three-point lead heading into the final 20 minutes.

third period
Western Michigan did a great job of negating an early stumble penalty and did not allow a shot on goal during the UND man advantage. After that penalty kill, the Brown and Gold got quality looks off the bump, ethan phillips.

As the game moved into the second half of the third period, Western Michigan began to take control. Hilsendager got loose near the net and made up for his own mistake to get WMU within two points with just under eight minutes left.

With less than seven minutes remaining, Costantini lit the lamp against his former team, making the score 4-3 in favor of the Fighting Hawks.Costantini used a great feed from dylan wendt He got through the North Dakota defense and scored a goal.

As the game began to settle down, the Broncos pulled their goaltender and tried to tie the game. However, it was UND who scored the winning goal from an empty net, winning 5-3.

next
Western Michigan and North Dakota State conclude the series tomorrow night at 7 p.m. on NCHC Television and the Bronco Media Network.