Western Michigan Edges Minnesota State in Double Overtime Thriller

FARGO, N.D. – Alex Tracy put on a goaltending clinic with 42 saves, but it wasn’t enough to keep No. 14 Minnesota State alive, as Grant Slukynsky buried a rebound with 12:46 left in double overtime to lift No. 3 Western Michigan to a 2-1 victory Thursday night at Scheels Arena.

Tracy stood tall for the Mavericks, making a trio of saves in the crease early in the second overtime. But moments later, Zach Nehring fired a sharp-angle shot from the left corner. Tracy made the initial stop, but Slukynsky was in the perfect position to knock in the rebound, sealing the win for the Broncos.

The loss capped a successful season for Minnesota State (27-9-3), which made its 10th NCAA Division I tournament appearance. Under second-year head coach Luke Strand, the Mavericks captured both the MacNaughton Cup and Mason Cup in the CCHA before falling just short in the national tournament.

Tracy was a key figure throughout the game, making four early saves as MSU killed a first-period penalty. However, Western Michigan took advantage of a power play early in the second period. With just 49 seconds gone, Liam Vilente fired in his 13th goal of the season from inside the right dot, assisted by Owen Michaels, after the Mavericks failed to clear the defensive zone.

Minnesota State had opportunities to respond. Brett Moravec was taken down on a partial breakaway, earning MSU a power play, but the Mavericks couldn’t convert, despite ringing a shot off the post. Later, Rhett Pitlick set up Josh Groll for a one-timer from the high slot, but Broncos goaltender Hampton Slukynsky made a clutch left-pad save to preserve Western Michigan’s 1-0 lead heading into the second intermission.

Early in the third, Minnesota State finally broke through. At 1:41, Kaden Bohlsen crashed the crease to knock in a loose puck for his 12th goal of the season, tying the game at 1-1. The play began with Evan Murr’s shot from the right point, followed by a scramble in front, where Bohlsen capitalized on the rebound.

MSU pressed for the go-ahead goal late in regulation. Adam Eisele tested the far post, and Brian Carrabes fired a last-second shot, but the game headed to overtime with Western Michigan holding a narrow 9-8 shot advantage in the third period.

The extra session saw more chances on both ends. Pitlick nearly ended it for the Mavericks with a backhand attempt, but Tracy kept the game alive with a pad save. He then came up big again, denying Michaels on a 2-on-1. Western Michigan outshot Minnesota State 9-4 in the first overtime, but Tracy continued to stand firm.

In double overtime, Tracy made three consecutive saves in rapid succession, but Slukynsky’s persistence paid off as he found the loose puck and pushed it across the goal line for the dramatic game-winner.

Minnesota State’s defense held strong, blocking 25 shots, while Western Michigan blocked 20. The Broncos (31-7-1) dominated the faceoff circle, winning 45 of 78 draws. With the win, WMU advances to the Fargo Region Championship on Saturday, where they’ll face the winner of Minnesota vs. Massachusetts.

The Mavericks finish the season at 5-10 all-time in NCAA Division I tournament play. Their last Frozen Four appearance came in 2021-22 when they finished as national runners-up. Despite the loss, MSU showed significant improvement from last season’s 18-15-4 record, setting the stage for a promising future.