After a dominant season, the Minnesota State Mavericks will have to venture home empty-handed after falling 2-1 to the Western Michigan Broncos.

Both programs marked their 10th appearance in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament and their first matchup in program history. The equally matched Broncos and Mavericks would go into two rounds of overtime, where the sophomore forward Grant Slukynsky would give the Broncos their second NCAA Tournament win in program history. 

According to Western Michigan Athletics, the Broncos have been the most consistent team in the nation after capping off their season with the first National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Frozen Faceoff Championship in program history. They lead the NCAA with 31 wins. This consistency was present in this game and ultimately gave them the win this past Thursday.

The Broncos will be facing off against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen on Sunday, March 29. Puck drop is set for 6:30 p.m.