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DETROIT (WKZO) – Making their first appearance in the Great Lakes Invitational in 26 years, Western Michigan made history defeating the Spartans in the first ever GLI shootout, 2-1.

Mike Cichy banked a shot off of Spartan goaltender Jake Hildebrand to tally his third goal of the season at the 10:21 mark of the opening period. Chase Balisy and Jordan Osterle were in with assists on the score which gave the Broncos the early 1-0 lead. Western Michigan’s penalty kill unit kept the Spartans off the board on two tries in the period, and three for the game.

The teams skated to a scoreless second period in which the Broncos failed to score on a pair of power play opportunities. The Broncos finished 0-for-5 on the power play in the game.

Michigan State trailed 27-21 in shots on goal heading into the final frame, and trailed on the scoreboard for 19:44. Jake Hildebrand was pulled in the final minute, and with the extra attacker Matt Berry scored the equalizer on his 10^th goal of the season to tie the game with 16.4 seconds left. Western Michigan finished with a 32-23 edge in shots on goal in the game.

After a scoreless five-minute overtime period, Mike Leone lit the lamp to lift the Broncos to the Great Lakes Invitational Final Sunday night.

 Western Michigan (11-4-2, 8-3-1-1 CCHA) will play the winner of Michigan v Michigan Tech at 7 pm on 96.5 FM WKZO.