WORCESTER, MA (WKZO-AM/FM) – Western Michigan sophomore forward Luke Grainger scored the game-winning goal just 1:33 into overtime to give the WMU hockey program its first NCAA Tournament win in program history after defeating Northeastern 2-1 in the NCAA Worcester Regional Semifinal at the DCU Center on Friday afternoon.
NU Hobey Baker Finalist goaltender Devon Levi went to rim the puck from behind his net but Grainger intercepted it and went for the wraparound attempt. Levi got back to make the save and then stop the rebound as well. The referees went to instant replay and confirmed that the puck had crossed the line with Grainger winning it on his eighth goal of the season.
Brandon Bussi made 30 saves in the game to break the WMU single-season wins record with his 26th of the season. The Broncos (26-11-1) outshot the Huskies 36-31 and held NU scoreless on its lone power play.
Western Michigan took a 1-0 lead with a goal at 14:01 in the first period. Ethen Frank created a turnover in the neutral zone and dished it to Drew Worrad, creating a two-on-one rush. Worrad passed it to Cole Gallant and Gallant fired a laser past Levi from the right circle and into the net for his ninth goal of the season. Worrad picked up his team-leading 36th assist of the season and Frank tallied his 13th.
Bussi stepped up in the second period, making 10 saves in the second period and helping kill off NU’s lone power play.
The Huskies picked up the pressure in the third period and finally got one past Bussi at 16:40. Justin Hryckowian created a turnover in the WMU zone and got the puck up to Aidan McDonough skated in on Bussi and saw his first attempt denied, but punched in the rebound to tie it up with 3:20 left in regulation.
Just under a minute later Bussi made two rapid-fires saves on an odd-man rush to keep the game tied at 1-1.
Western Michigan will play Minnesota Sunday at 4 p.m. on ESPN2 after the Gophers beat UMass 4-3 in OT.
(Courtesy of WMU Athletics)
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