MARQUETTE, Mich. — Troy Loggins scored at the 15-minute, 53-second mark of overtime as the Northern Michigan Wildcats beat the Bowling Green State University hockey team 3-2 at the Berry Events Center to win their Western Collegiate Hockey Association best-of-3 semifinal series 2-1.

The loss eliminated the 17th-ranked Falcons (24-11-6) from the tournament. Last season, Bowling Green went to the WCHA championship game.

Zach Diamantoni had a goal and an assist for the 19th-ranked Wildcats (25-14-3). Joseph Nardi also had the other goal for Northern Michigan, and Ryan Black had two assists.

Max Johnson and Cameron Wright had the goals for Bowling Green. Stephen Baylis assisted on both goals.

Diamantoni gave the Wildcats an early 1-0 lead, when he tallied his sixth goal of the season at the 18:55 mark of the first. Robbie Payne assisted on the score.

The Falcons tied it on the power play just 52 seconds into the second, as Johnson tallied his 13th of the season on assists by Baylis and Mitch McLain.

Then Nardi got his 18th of the season at the midway mark of the third. Black and Diamantoni each had assists on the goal.

Bowling Green then tied it with eight seconds remaining in regulation. Wright scored his 10th goal of the season on assists by Alec Rauhauser and Baylis.

But with 4:07 left in the extra period, Loggins converted for the 23rd time this season. Black and James Vermeulen assisted on the goals.

The Falcons’ defense did stand tall on the penalty kill, as they stopped all five power-play opportunities for Northern Michigan.

Ryan Bednard, the sophomore goaltender for the Falcons, took the loss. He stopped 39 shots overall, including six in the overtime period. He finishes the season 15-8-4.

Alte Tolvanen made 30 saves for the Wildcats, including six in the extra period. He improves to 23-9-1 on the season.

First Published March 12, 2018, 3:00 a.m.