Box Score
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan (10-13-1/9-10-1 CCHA) downed Ferris State (7-16-3/4-12-2 CCHA), 5-2, Tuesday night at Lawson Ice Arena to move into sole possession of fifth place in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.
Mark Letestu, who leads CCHA rookies in points (31), had two goals and an assist to take No. 1 Perani Cup Star of the Game honors. The Broncos also received goals from Jeff LoVecchio, Brian Bicek, and Paul Szczechura.
Goalie Daniel Bellissimo had 26 saves and earned his fourth win of the season for the Broncos en route to No. 2 Perani Cup honors.
Western Michigan and Ferris State both capitalized on power plays early in the first period, but the Broncos pulled ahead, 2-1, on an even strength goal despite trailing in shots, 9-4.
FSU got on the board first on a power play goal from Matt Verdone to put the Bulldogs on top, 1-0. WMU answered two minutes later on a power play goal from Paul Szczechura to tie the game, 1-1.
With just over 30 seconds remaining in the first period, Letestu scored his 14th goal of the season on an assist from Matt Clackson and LoVecchio to put the Broncos on top, 2-1, at the end of 20 minutes of play.
Western Michigan heated up Lawson Ice Area in the second period by scoring three goals. The Broncos took a, 3-1, lead on a LoVecchio goal and three minutes later Bicek scored on an assist from Chris Frank to increase the lead, 4-1. The back-to-back goals forced Ferris State to pull their starting goalie and go with back up Derek MacIntyre for the remainder of the game. With 11 seconds left in the period, Letestu scored his second goal of the game to give the Broncos a 5-1 advantage.
Head coach Jim Culhane was happy with the win but knows what his team needs. "It is great to get that win at home but our team needs some rest. It has been a busy past few days and with recruiting, everyone needs to get a little rest as we look forward to the Chargers," Culhane said in his post-game interview with Robin Hook on the Bronco Radio Network.
The Bulldogs added one goal in the third, but WMU went on to take the game, 5-2, to jump out of the three-way tie for seventh in the CCHA. Western Michigan hosts a non-conference series this weekend against Alabama-Huntsville from College Hockey America. The puck drops at 7:35 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night.
