It was a statement game, but the Western Michigan Broncos fell short in making one Friday night, losing to the former #1 team, and current #3 team in the country, North Dakota. A tough fought battle but WMU ended up on the short end of a 3-1 score.

Both teams battle tough, scoreless through a period and half. Then North Dakota put two behind goalie Brandon Bussi and the score stayed that way into the third period. Four minutes and 35 second in to the third Dawson DiPietro finally put the Broncos on the the score sheet.

(UND Insider via YouTube)

The Broncos kept pressuring in the third period, out shooting the Fighting Hawks 15-7 in the period, but could get another goal. And with a couple of minutes left in the game, a late Bronco penalty resulted in the UND goal to ice the game for North Dakota.

The second game of the weekend series continues tonight in Grand Forks. Suddenly this one becomes an even more must win game, as the Broncos lead fourth place Denver by only a point, but suddenly resurgent St. Cloud State is only two points behind WMU.

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