KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan hockey team fell to No. 2/3 St. Cloud State at Lawson Ice Arena on Saturday night, 4-2.
The Broncos (14-14-2, 9-10-1-0) had a 2-1 lead heading into the third period but the Huskies tallied three goals, including an empty-netter, to beat WMU. Western Michigan had goals from Josh Passolt and Dawson DiPietro, while freshman goalie Austin Cain made 33 saves on the night in the loss.
After a scoreless first period, Easton Brodzinski gave SCSU a 1-0 lead at 4:16 in the third period. St. Cloud State was on a five-minute power play and Brodzinski banged in a rebound on a shot by Jimmy Schuldt.
WMU responded at 6:32 on a short-handed goal by Passolt. Cam Lee picked up a loose puck and took it down the ice. He dished it off to passport in the right circle and the freshman forward deked SCSU goalie David Hrenak and put it in the net for his seventh goal of the season.
Western MIchigan took a 2-1 lead minutes later after the major power play had expired. DiPietro beat Hrenak over his left should from the right circle for his 13th goal of the season. Austin Rueschhoff and Scott Moldenhauer each picked up assists on the goal.
SCSU tied it up at 2-2 at 5:43 in the third period. Jack Poehling fired an uncontested shot from the left circle and it trickled past Cain and into the net for his seventh of the season. Brothers Ryan and Nick assisted on the goal.
Mikey Eyssimont netted the game-winner on the power play at 11:59. Essymont got the puck in the right corner and skated into the right circle, firing it past Cain for his 13th of the season.
Trailing late, WMU pulled Cain from the net but Eyssimont fired it into the empty net before the extra attacker got on the ice.
WMU was outshot 37-22 overall and 11-1 in the third period.
Western Michigan is back in action next weekend, hosting Minnesota-Duluth on Friday and Saturday. On Saturday the Broncos will celebrate the careers of seniors Aidan Muir, Neal Goff, Paul Stoykewych and Moldenhauer. Tickets are available by calling 1-888-4-WMUTIX and online at wmubroncos.com/tickets.
