On Thursday, March 27, 2025 Western Michigan and Minnesota State-Mankato faced off at Scheels Arena in the NCAA Fargo Region Semifinal. The Broncos entered s the top seed in the region (No. 4 ranked in the country) while the Mavericks were the regions fourth seed.
The opening period saw both teams stale mate for 20 minutes resulting in a 0-0 tie after the frame. MSU’s goaltender Alex Tracy was spectacular all night long and it began with an 11-save opening period. WMU’s Hampton Slukynsky played well himself with a perfect eight save period.
In the closing moments of the first period Mankato’s Adam Eisele committed a slashing penalty that sent him to the box for two minutes beginning with 14 seconds remaining in the first.
Immediately after the second period started that penalty would prove to be costly, as WMU’s Liam Valente scored the game’s first goal on a power play 48 seconds into the second period. Western Michigan would play even with the Mavericks for the remainder of the period. After two period of play the Broncos lead 1-0.
Once the third period began, the Mavericks began mucking up the game to create multiple scoring opportunities. MSU would fail time-after-time, but with two minutes remaining they would create a dirty scoring chance that had Kaden Bohlsen finding the back of the net with the puck. The Maverick goal came with 1:51 remaining in regulation. We’re tied 1-1.
To overtime we go.
Both teams had chances to score in the first 20 minutes overtime period, with MSU seeming to have the better of the scoring chances. The Mavericks would outshoot the Broncos 9-7 in the frame, but they would not be able to get the puck past Slukynsky.
To a second overtime we go.
In the second overtime the Broncos seemed to regain some control of the pace of play. Both teams were unable to convert on multiple scoring opportunities, until nearly 13 minutes into the period. With 7:14 remaining in the second overtime, Grant Slukynsky snuck the puck by Tracy and across the crease. Western Michigan walks it off 2-1.
https://x.com/WMUHockey/status/1905421517858406812
Tracy did all he could for the Mavericks saving 42 of the 44 shots he faced. As for Slukynsky he saved 29 of the 30 shots he faced in his return to Scheels Arena.
The Slukynsky brothers set up Western Michigan with an opportunity to play in the Fargo Regional Final on Saturday. The Broncos will play the winner of Minnesota vs UMass.
