KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Wabash saw a two-goal fourth-quarter lead slip away Wednesday night as Kalamazoo scored with 2:05 remaining in the second overtime period to hand the Little Giants an 8-7 nonconference loss at MacKenzie Field.
 
Tate Bless finished off the Hornets' comeback with the game-winning goal off an assist from Ronin Honda, capping a contest that featured 12 ties or lead changes and erased a two-goal fourth-quarter advantage for the Little Giants.
 
Wabash (1-2) received a four-point performance from Evan Bair, who scored three goals with one assist on seven shots. The Little Giants built leads of 5-3 at halftime and 6-3 midway through the third period before Kalamazoo (1-0) rallied late.
 
David Finestad's man-up goal at 8:39 of the third quarter — off an assist from Christian Dybedock — gave Wabash its largest lead at 6-3. The Little Giants converted 2 of 8 extra-man opportunities for the game, including a man-up goal by Bair at 10:08 of the fourth quarter that extended the margin to 7-5.
 
Kalamazoo answered with three of the final four goals in regulation. Dylan Adkins scored on a man-up opportunity at 12:58 of the fourth to cut the deficit to 6-5, and Ethan Huebsch added another extra-man tally with 3:35 remaining to make it 7-6. Teige Bredin tied the contest with 19 seconds left in regulation, scooping up a ground ball and finishing unassisted to force overtime.
 
In the first overtime, both teams had chances. Wabash won the opening faceoff and generated three shots, including two from Jake Pippen, but Kalamazoo goalkeeper Tony Valade recorded saves to keep the game tied. Valade finished with 13 saves in 65:55 to earn the victory, matching Wabash goalkeeper Colin Krekeler, who also stopped 13 shots in the loss.
 
Bless sealed the outcome in the second overtime, scoring his second goal of the night on Kalamazoo's only shot of the period.
 
Wabash outscored the Hornets 4-2 in the second quarter to take a 5-3 halftime lead. Bair scored twice in the period, including an unassisted goal at 13:10. Jake Pippen added a goal off a feed from Grayson McCallum, and Will Kerker found the net unassisted at 5:17. Dybedock capped the half with a goal in the final minute, assisted by Bair.
 
Pippen finished with one goal on six shots, placing five on frame. Dybedock totaled one goal and one assist, while Finestad and Kerker each added a goal. Austin Clark, McCallum, and Cam Fecht recorded assists for the Little Giants.
 
Kalamazoo was led by Dylan Adkins with two goals and two assists, while Max Plesscher and Bless each scored twice.
 
Statistically, Kalamazoo held a 41-36 edge in shots and a 21-20 advantage in shots on goal. Wabash controlled the faceoff circle, winning 12 of 19 draws behind Logan Miltner, who went 12-for-19 with a team-high eight ground balls. The Little Giants also held a 44-40 edge in ground balls.
 
Turnovers proved costly for both sides, with Wabash committing 27 and Kalamazoo 26. The Hornets were more efficient on clears, converting 22 of 26 attempts compared to Wabash's 10 of 18. Kalamazoo also capitalized on 2 of 4 extra-man opportunities, while Wabash went 2-for-8.
 
The Little Giants return home Saturday to host Hope College at 1 p.m.