ST. PAUL, Minn. – Alex Bump delivered the game-winning goal in double overtime to secure Western Michigan's first ever NCHC Frozen Faceoff Championship. The Broncos fought back from three goals down to win 4-3.
The win was WMU's 30th of the season and head coach Pat Ferschweiler's 100th career victory. Bump tallied two goals, while Zack Sharp and Tim Washe each had goals of their own. Hampton Slukynsky collected his 15th win of the season.
FIRST PERIOD
The Broncos were sent off for tripping in the opening minute of the period. However, the Brown and Gold didn't allow a shot and got back to full strength with ease. Following that, WMU started to pick up the pace, getting shots from Bump and Brian Kramer.
Western Michigan would get a power play of its own with about four minutes left in the opening frame. After a few quality scoring chances, Denver would return to even strength. With time winding down, Zach Nehring would get one last chance on net for the Brown and Gold. The Broncos and Pioneers remained tied at 0-0 going to the middle frame.
SECOND PERIOD
Denver got an early goal to go up 1-0, which was followed up by a flurry of saves by Slukynsky. However, DU eventually broke through again, getting another goal just over nine minutes into the period.
Just over a minute later, the Pioneers made it a 3-0 game. After that, WMU started to find more offense. Matteo Costantini and Liam Valente had chances that nearly found the back of the net. However, Denver would carry a three-goal lead into the third period.
THIRD PERIOD
The Broncos were sent off for interference about 30 seconds into the final frame, but nothing would come of the chance. WMU would then go on the attack, getting a goal from Sharp in the minutes following that penalty kill.
The goal was his fifth of the season and came from a quick wrister right out front of the goal. That pushed the game to 3-1 in favor of Denver. WMU kept up the offensive pressure, as Owen Michaels had a shot saved from the slot.
Later in the period, Kramer and Samuel Sjolund fired pucks on net that nearly brought the Broncos within one. Bump would tally a goal down the stretch to make it 3-2. The goal was his 22nd of the season.
About three minutes later, Washe fired a shot from the blue line that found its way into the back of the net to tie the game. Neither team would score a goal the rest of the period, and the two teams went to overtime.
OVERTIME
Costantini had the first chance of overtime, getting a nice look on net from the slot. His shot was saved and pushed away from trouble. WMU eventually went on the power play late in the first overtime session and had some quality chances. Bump, Washe and Kramer each had looks on net.
Washe had one last chance in the closing seconds of the first overtime session. His shot was saved, and the two teams played into a second overtime.
It didn't take long in the second overtime, as Bump rifled a shot by DU's goaltender to win the game for the Broncos. The win marked WMU's first Frozen Faceoff Championship in program history.
UP NEXT
Western Michigan will learn its NCAA Tournament opponent and location tomorrow afternoon. The NCAA selection show is set for 3 PM on ESPNU.
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