Strong defensive effort nets UND a tie against Western Michigan

GRAND FORKS — UND coach Dane Jackson said after Friday night's 2-2 tie with Western Michigan that the coaching staff judges the performance, not the result. That explains why he had plenty of good things to say Friday. A UND team that had allowed 15 goals in the last three games stifled the nation's No. 1 scoring offense throughout the series opener. After Western Michigan's Adam Benák scored on the first shot, less than a minute into the game, the Broncos registered just five shots on goal — and only two at even-strength — over the next 43 minutes, 43 seconds. Some of the numbers needed a double take. Consider: Western Michigan finished with 17 shots on goal, its second-lowest total under sixth-year head coach Pat Ferschweiler and its lowest in almost four years to the day. The only time in the last six seasons that Western Michigan had fewer shots was Nov. 12, 2022, at St. Cloud State (12 shots on goal in a 4-1 loss). Western Michigan registered seven sh