Hockey dominates Michigan in Series Opener

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan continued its hot streak by downing Michigan 4-1 Friday night at Lawson Arena. The win pushed WMU’s record to 9-1-1 overall.

The Broncos got goals from four different players, with Robby Drazner, Tim Wash, Cole Crusberg-Roseen and Cam Knuble lights the lamp in victory. In net, Cameron Rowe made 26 saves and dished out an assist.

FIRST PERIOD
The Brown and Gold controlled most of the first period, outshooting the Wolverines 13-7. Alex Bump, Owen Michaels and Liam Valente had shots in the opening minute. A little later in the period, WMU would first join the board.

Valente threw a pass out in front to Drazner, who beat UM goaltender Logan Stein under seven minutes into the first frame. As the game moved into the middle portion of the first 20 minutes, WMU was ejected for interference. The Wolverines would get a shot before getting their own interference penalty.

Michigan would come back to full strength, but Rowe caught the Wolverines on a turnover. He fired the puck to Washe, who beat Stein to put the Broncos up 2-0 with just over three minutes left in the opening period.

Western Michigan would take a two-goal lead into the middle period.

SECOND PERIOD
It didn’t take long for the Broncos to extend their lead, as Crusberg-Roseen put one home about three minutes into the period. It marked his first career goal.

Shortly after that, WMU went on a 4-on-3 power play. The Broncos had three shots, but the Wolverines were able to come back to full strength. Western Michigan stayed on offense and got great shots from Drazner and Crusberg-Roseen in the middle part of the period.

The Broncos’ offensive tenacity would pay off as they added a fourth goal late in the second frame. Ethan Wolthers carried the puck up the right wall and finally dished it to Knuble. He did the rest and beat Stein to make it a 4-0 game with under three minutes left in the second period.

THIRD PERIOD
After some back-and-forth action in the early part of the final period, WMU went back on the power play. Grant Slukynsky would get the lone shot on the man advantage and UM came back to full strength.

WMU’s offense continued to pepper shots against Stein and got looks from Crusberg-Roseen, Shut up Henrik and wash with less than 10 minutes to play. With under five minutes to play, WMU was ejected for holding.

Michigan wouldn’t score on the man advantage, but it found the back of the net two seconds after the power play expired. Western Michigan would go on to close out a 4-1 victory.

UP NEXT
WMU and Michigan wrap up the series tomorrow night at Yost Ice Arena. Puck drop is set for 19.00.