DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Duluth found its way back into the win column on Saturday, snapping a three-game skid and improving to 7-5-2 on the season. Junior forward Jackson Cates netted a natural hat trick in the Bulldogs 5-1 victory over Western Michigan University, breaking the Broncos' four game unbeaten streak, falling to 5-9-3.

"It was a good win for us. We needed to get back on track," said head coach Scott Sandelin. "Jackson's line had a really big night for us which was great to see. It was a good win for our team and hopefully we can build on that and get after it again tomorrow."

UMD outshot WMU 36-18 in the contest. Sophomore goalie Ryan Fanti made 17 saves in his sixth win of the season, while Broncos goalie Alex Aslanidis made 31 in the effort. Fanti now sits 6-4-2 on the year, with a .906 save percentage and a 2.38 goals against average.

The two teams battled for the first 15 minutes of the game, with neither side giving way. The Bulldogs broke onto the score sheet before the period ended, however. While on the power play, senior forward Nick Swaney received a pass from sophomore forward Quinn Olson and ripped it past Aslanidis' right pad with 4:45 to go in the first. Senior forward Kobe Roth scored just 1:17 later, when junior forward Jackson Cates passed the puck cross ice to senior forward Koby Bender, who rifled a pass to the back-side post for Roth to pound home on an open net.

The second period was quiet, with neither team finding the back of the net.

Things picked up in the third when WMU scored the first of the period off of a rebound that popped out into the slot. Broncos' forward Drew Worrad netted the rebound top shelf past Fanti. Just 2:02 later, J. Cates netted the first of three in a 4:58 span. Bender moved the puck up to Roth, who moved down the rink to a 3-on-2 odd man rush. Roth spun around and passed to J. Cates, who one timed the puck past Aslanidis' blocker side. He found the net again when Bender moved the puck to junior forward Cole Koepke. Koepke skated into the Broncos' zone, having three WMU players collapse. He dropped the puck to J. Cates who was alone in the slot and sniped it lower blocker side. He capped off the night with 6:14 to go in the period when him and Bender moved up to a 2-on-2. Bender dished the puck to J. Cates, who tickled the twine for the finishing touch on a natural hat trick.

UMD had seven different point getters in the contest. J. Cates had four points with three goals and an assist.

"It feels unreal," said junior forward Jackson Cates. "It was a nice win, but we have to be ready to go tomorrow."

It was the first hat trick for UMD since Swaney had three goals against the University of Nebraska-Omaha on Jan. 25, 2019.

Bender had four assists, the first time a UMD player has had four assists in a game since alumni defenseman Dylan Samberg had four against St. Cloud State University on March 7, 2020. Roth had a goal and an assist. Swaney had a goal. Junior forward Noah Cates, Koepke and Olson all had an assist.

The Bulldogs will be back at AMSOIL Arena tomorrow to take on WMU at 4 pm