No. 6 Western Michigan Beats Colorado College 5-4 in OT

Saturday night at Lawson Arena, No. 6 Western Michigan claimed a 5-4 overtime triumph over No. 12 Colorado College thanks to a power-play marker from Joosa Vaisanen with only 3.4 seconds left on the clock.

Throughout the night, the Tiger penalty kill performed brilliantly, successfully defending a 5-on-3 power play for 1:25 during the middle period following consecutive too many men infractions just 35 seconds apart, and neutralizing all but the final moments of a major penalty for boarding assessed to Wilson Bjorck 56 seconds into the extra session.

Utilizing a one-timer launched from the top of the left circle, Vaisanen secured the victory by beating CC goaltender Jackson Unger, who stopped 28 shots.

Comments from @CoachMayotteCC following CC’s 5-4 overtime loss at No. 6 Western Michigan Saturday night. #CCTigers pic.twitter.com/OIRPVctJ06

— Post by @CCTigerHKY on X

The Broncos collected two points for the overtime win, while the Tigers gathered one. Saturday’s contest featured goals from four different Tigers, including Colton Roberts, who brought the score even at 4-4 with 3:12 remaining in the third period, arriving a mere 29 seconds after Iiro Hakkarainen had given WMU a 4-3 advantage. Roberts also added an assist for his second multi-point game in the last four contests.

Owen Beckner opened the scoring just 1:15 into the contest. After forcing a turnover high inside the Western Michigan zone, Bret Link delivered a pass to Beckner, who fired from the left circle past Bronco netminder Quentin Miller to secure his sixth goal over his previous seven appearances.

June kalamazoo michigan usa a sign marks the entrance to western michigan university east campus

Cole Spicer struck at the 7:48 mark and Hakkarainen added another midway through the opening period to answer for the Broncos (8-2-1, 2-1-1 NCHC). At 15:54 of the first period, Connor Hvidston knocked in a loose puck from the right side of the crease, utilizing helpers from Tomas and Mateo Mrsic to level the score at 2-2.

At 14:04 of the second period, Klavs Veinbergs netted his third goal of the campaign to put the Tigers (7-4-1, 1-3-0 NCHC) back in front. Philippe Blais-Savoie contributed two assists, firing the puck toward the net from the corner where Veinbergs successfully redirected it past Miller.

Middle frame action featured an equalizing goal by WMU’s Tommy Lafraniere at the 16:18 mark, paving the way for a chaotic third period and overtime. The Broncos outshot CC, 33-22, and Miller finished with 19 saves. When playing with the man advantage, WMU went 1-for-3, whereas the Tigers failed to capitalize on their single power-play opportunity.

Colorado College returns home to host NCHC-foe Miami, Nov. 20-21, at Ed Robson Arena.

Earlier coverage: No. 6 Western Michigan Shuts Out No. 12 Colorado College 4-0