KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Brandon Bussi stopped all 24 shots thrown his way to help No. 4 Western Michigan defeat No. 9 North Dakota, 2-0, and complete the weekend sweep from Lawson Ice Arena in Kalamazoo, Mich.
UND (13-10-0, 8-4-0-0-0-0 NCHC) falls out of first place in the NCHC for the first time since November and remain winless in the month of January.
Jakob Hellsten made 24 saves in his third start of the season, but a shorthanded goal from Max Sasson with just under a minute to play in the first period proved to be the difference in the contest.
After allowing the first six shots on goal on Friday night, it was Western Michigan who came out firing in the opening minute. The Broncos nearly broke the ice just 49 seconds in, but the puck was deemed to have been played with a high stick to keep the contest scoreless.
The UND penalty kill, which was victimized three times on five opportunities on Friday, was called into action early on Saturday. Hellsten and his crew stood tall through the first test, to turn some momentum towards the visitors.
North Dakota seemed to get better as the period wore on, earning a power play chance in the final minutes; however, Max Sasson intercepted a pass and raced down the ice for a shorthanded breakaway tally with just 46 seconds remaining in the first period to give the Broncos a 1-0 lead after one.
The second period featured a style of play that many figured would happen this weekend, with both teams playing fast and physical. Each side saw a few power play chances, but the goaltenders stood strong to keep the Broncos in front, 1-0, following 40 minutes.
UND kept putting the puck towards the net from all angles at the start of the third, with Ford missing just wide on a rush and Kleven rocketing one off the post and out of play to allow WMU to remain in front, 1-0, just five minutes into to final frame.
In keeping with the theme over the last few weekends, North Dakota did everything but score over the final minutes, but a shot off the glass from the WMU defensive zone rolled all the win into the net to give the Broncos a 2-0 lead with just under two minutes to play.
North Dakota returns home to close out the month of January against St. Cloud State next weekend from Ralph Engelstad Arena.
NOTES: The shorthanded goal by WMU was the first allowed by UND since Jan. 24, 2020 when Cole Koepke of Minnesota Duluth scored ... WMU outshot UND, 26-24 ... Faceoffs were also 26-24 in favor of the Broncos ...
Connor Ford won a team-high 10 draws ... This marks the second time UND has been swept at Lawson Ice Arena, dropping to 11-5 all-time in the building ... UND falls to 4-1 this season in the black jerseys ... It is the first time UND has been swept in back-to-back weekends since 2006.
