FARGO — The few but proud Western Michigan faithful waved the “W” flag following forward Grant Slukynsky’s double-overtime goal on Thursday night at Scheels Arena

Slukynsky fired a backhand shot just outside the crease that trickled past a scrum of players and into the Minnesota State Mankato net. The goal powered the top-seeded Broncos’ 2-1 win over the No. 4-seeded Mavericks in the NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey Fargo Regional semifinals.

“I saw (Zach Nehring) cut to the middle, a big strong forward, and he was able to get it in on the net,” Slukynsky said of the goal. “I saw the puck there, got a swipe on it and fortunately it went in.”

The goal marked the Warroad native’s 10th of the season and first game-winning goal.

Western Michigan advances to the regional championship against the winner of No. 2 Minnesota and No. 3 Massachusetts at a to-be-determined time on Saturday at Scheels Arena.

The win marked Western Michigan’s seventh overtime win of the season and second consecutive double-overtime win. The Broncos defeated Denver 4-3 in the NCHC championship game last Saturday.

Western Michigan earned its first win in the NCAA tournament since a 2-1 overtime win over Northeastern in 2022.

“They made it really hard on us,” said Broncos head coach Pat Ferschweiler. “When you force enough turnovers, you’re going to see some positive results.”

Minnesota State goaltender Alex Tracy kept the Mavericks’ hopes alive with key saves late in the first overtime period. Tracy, a finalist for the Mike Richter Award given to the top Division I goaltender, turned away a shot just outside the crease from Western Michigan forward Alex Bumpt before time expired in the first overtime.

Western Michigan maintained an 11-7 shot advantage after the scoreless first period. Minnesota State mustered only three shots in the first 15 minutes of the first period, but outshot the Broncos 4-2 to close a previous six-shot gap.

Broncos forward Liam Valente buried a power-play goal 48 seconds into the second period. Valente corralled a pass from Owen Michaels at the point and scored on a shot from the dot in the right circle. Valente’s goal came on the Broncos’ second power-play opportunity of the contest. Western Michigan entered the game converting 24.5% on the power play.

Western Michigan goaltender Hampton Slukynsky, who finished with 29 saves, denied a potential game-tying goal with 29 seconds left in the second. Mavericks forward Josh Groll hammered a one-timer from the slot, but Hampton Slukynsky made a split save to maintain the Broncos’ lead after two periods.

“I felt good all game,” said Hampton Slukynsky, who is Grant’s brother.

Minnesota State forward Kaden Bohlsen tied the game at 1:51 of the third period. Bohlsen reached across the crease and put away a loose puck along the goal line on a rebound of Zach Krajnik’s shot.

“I was in front of the net and saw them banging away at it,” Bohlsen said of the goal. “Luckily it slid behind the goalie and I whacked it in. Give all the credit to (Krajnik).”

This contest marked the first time the two programs squared off against each other.

Tracy stopped 42 shots. The Mavericks, who made their 10th appearance in the tournament, ended their season 27-9-3 overall. The team all slapped their sticks before the legions of Minnesota State fans that supported them all season.

“We have the best fan base in college hockey,” Bohlsen said. “They traveled all the way here to Fargo for us. Feeling that support throughout the year from them has been amazing.”

Ferschweiler said he’s not going to dwell on the win.

“I’m done celebrating now,” Fercshweiler said. “I’ve moved on. I’ll let (the players) enjoy it for a hot second and we’ll start preparing.”

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