HUDSONVILLE, Mich. – The No. 13 University of Michigan-Dearborn (9-0-0) men's ice hockey team traveled to the west side of the state for a midweek non-conference matchup. The matchup would be the toughest test to date against the No. 7 Grand Valley State Lakers (8-0-2), a team who swept the Wolverines last season and has not lost in regulation this season. 

The matchup between the two juggernauts would be back-and-forth for much of the game. The Wolverines struck first off Brendan West's ninth goal of the season. West lit the lamp just four minutes into the opening period. Bailey Byrd and Matt Cunningham provided assists on the goal. 

The Lakers ended the period with two unanswered goals as the Wolverines would head into the intermission down 2-1. 

Only one goal was scored in the second period, just 67 seconds into the period. West again was the beneficiary as he found the back of the net for the 10th time this year. He was assisted by  Byrd and Declan Flanagan. 

In the third, the Wolverines seemingly took full control of the game after Josh Weber and Ryan Stanely provided much-needed goals to give the Wolverines a 4-2 lead. But many understand that a two-goal lead in hockey is the worst in sports. GVSU promptly answered with two quick goals on the man advantage, and the two teams ended the third period tied at 4. 

The Wolverines dominated the overtime period, as the Lakers could not record a shot on goal. After the first three Wolverine chances were denied, Joey Cullinan sent the Wolverines into a frenzy as he buried the game-winning goal to give the Wolverines a 5-4 victory. 

Tanner Beals (6-0-0) was stellar in goal for the Wolverines, making 43 saves en route to his sixth win.