Broncos Avoid First Round Repeat, Advance in 2 OT For Second Straight Game
by Jordan McAlpine/CHN Reporter (@jordan_mcalpine)
Western Michigan experienced the agony of defeat first-hand last March, falling to Michigan State in the Maryland Heights Regional.
The Broncos carried a 4-2 lead into the third period and led by one in the waning minutes, only to see the Spartans tie it late and ultimately win in overtime.
With every Alex Tracy save and Minnesota State scoring chance, the Broncos were on the verge of another heartbreaking loss Thursday at the Fargo Regional, this time to another MSU. Although much of WMU’s roster has since changed and expectations are much higher for this year’s club.
However, the Broncos found themselves on the opposite end of agony this time around, as Grant Slukynsky lifted WMU to a 2-1 win over Minnesota State in double overtime.
It’s the second consecutive double-overtime win for Pat Ferschweiler’s club too; WMU defeated Denver in the same fashion last Saturday to win the NCHC Frozen Faceoff.
“We talk often in our locker room about toughness,” Ferschweiler said after the win. “There’s two types of toughness – physical toughness and will, but there’s a mental toughness as well. That’s zero frustration, stick with it, believe in what we’re trying to do, believe in yourself, and believe in each other. That’s all we talked about in between periods.”
That belief guided the Broncos to their 31st win of the season and their most important to date.
WMU will now face either Minnesota or UMass on Saturday with a trip to St. Louis on the line. WMU has never reached the Frozen Four.
It’s the fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance for the Broncos and the 10th in program history, yet it’s just their second win. WMU defeated Northeastern in the 2022 Worcester Regional – also winning in overtime – but was defeated by Minnesota the next day, and the Broncos are now 2-9 all-time.
Thursday’s matchup pitted the nation’s highest-scoring team against the nation’s best defensive team. WMU came in averaging 4.1 goals per game while the Mavericks allowed 1.47, and goals indeed came at a premium.
Liam Valente scored 48 seconds into the second period, MSU’s Kaden Bohlsen tied in the third and…
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