The score was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation and MSU (4-2-2 overall, 2-0-2 CCHA) won the ensuing shootout 2-1 to earn four points on the weekend.

Freshman goaltender Drew Palmisano earned his second start in net for the Spartans and made 32 saves.

MSU head coach Rick Comley praised Palmisano’s efforts to keep the Spartans in the game despite facing an onslaught of shots early on.

“I thought Palmisano was excellent all night long,” Comley said. “But it’s all a learning thing. We plan on playing him about four games the first half (of the season) and four games the second half.”

The Broncos (1-5-2, 0-2-2) scored the first goal of the game 43 seconds into the second period.

But senior forward Tim Crowder responded for the Spartans with under three minutes to go in the second period.

Eight minutes into the third, Western Michigan’s Tyler Ludwig scored on the power play to retake the lead for the Broncos.

But, yet again, the Spartans weren’t ready to call it a night.

Freshman forward Trevor Nill scored his first career goal to tie the game for the Spartans with less than 10 minutes left in regulation.

In the shootout, senior forward’s Kurt Kivisto and Matt Schepke both scored for the Spartans while Palmisano stopped two Broncos shooters.

“I was used to (shootouts) because we did it all last year in juniors,” Palmisano said. “So it’s a little familiar but just a bigger stage.”

The Spartans will continue to play away from Munn Ice Arena, as they head to Ohio State for two games starting Friday.