ST. PAUL –  Even the doubters have to believe in them a little, if only because these Tigers certainly do.

They have good reason after downing sixth-ranked North Dakota 4-3 in overtime in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Final Five quarterfinals.

Colorado College’s third win in a row sends the never-say-die Tigers (17-18-5) into the semifinals against top-ranked Minnesota (26-7-5) and two victories form the program’s first Broadmoor Trophy and a NCAA Tournament berth.

“It is definitely belief in ourselves,” junior Alexander Krushelnyski said. “We know that when everyone plays their best we can win and we did tonight.”

The OT game-winner, scored by sophomore defenseman Peter Stoykewych only 4:52 into the extra frame, came after North Dakota’s Drake Caggiula scored his second of the night to tie the game with 7:15 left in regulation.

CC looked ready to pull out the win in regulation after Hunter Fejes scored on a hard wrist shot that blew past North Dakota goalie Clarke Saunders’ glove early in the third period at the Xcel Energy Center, silencing most of the green-clad 17,038 on hand.  Krushelnyski had tallied his third shorthanded goal in the second to keep the pressure on North Dakota (21-12-7), which will advance to the NCAAs regardless.

Krushelnyski’s goal started when Rylan Schwartz took the puck away from North Dakota defenseman Joe Gleason and found his linemate for the breakaway. It was just one play in a strong performance by the senior, typifying the performance of the seven fourth-year players during this postseason run.

“They’re grinding out wins and they did a great job of that tonight,” UND coach Dave Hakstol said.

It was the second WCHA quarterfinal Thursday to have a goal scored on a team’s first shot. Wisconsin did so in its 7-2 rout of Minnesota State.

Here is a postgame interview video with Alexander Krushelnyski and Peter Stoykewych. Rylan Schwartz fields a question during the press conference.

Colorado College 4, North Dakota 3 OT

Colorado College        1          1          1          1          –4

North Dakota  2          0          1          0          — 3

First period – 1. CC, Schwartz (Bradley, Rapuzzi) 3:06 (PP);  2, UND, Caggiula (Grimaldi, Rowney) 14:23; 3. UND, Kristo (O’Donnell) 19:50.

Penalties – UND, Caggiula, charging, 2:16; CC, Rapuzzi, slashing, 14:23; UND, Mark MacMillan, roughing, 16:06; UND, Rowney, tripping, 17:09.

Second period – 4. CC, Krushelnyski (Schwartz) 7:54 (SH). Penalties – CC, team, too many men, 7:42; UND, Simpson, slashing, 7:54; CC, Bradley, slashing, 12:21; CC, Harstad, slashing, 17:44.

Third period –5. CC, Fejes (Hamburg) 3:42; 6. UND, Caggiula (St. Clair, Pattyn) 12:45. Penalties – CC, McDermott, boarding, 1:09; CC, Harstad, holding, 7:05.

Overtime – 7. CC, Stoykewych (Maric, Collett) 4:52. Penalties – none.

Power play – CC 1-4, UND 0-6. Shots on goal – CC 4-6-10-3 – 23; UND 11-9-12-0 – 32. Saves-minutes – CC, Howe 9-9-11-0 – 64:52; UND, Saunders 3-5-9-2 64:31. Referees – Adam, Walsh. Linesmen – Bradshaw, Shikowsky. Attendance – 17,038.