The ninth-ranked Western Michigan hockey team (16-10-1, 9-7-1 NCHC) faltered in the friendly confines of Lawson Ice Arena, falling 5-1 to North Dakota (14-12-2, 8-8-1) on Friday night.
The Broncos fell behind early when North Dakota’s Mark Senden opened the scoring just 18 seconds into the game.
North Dakota added two more goals within the first 11 minutes of the first period, putting the Broncos in a deep hole.
When North Dakota potted their fourth goal of the game shortly into the second period, senior goaltender Trevor Gorsuch was pulled, while junior Ben Blacker came in to relieve him.