Box Score
MARQUETTE, Mich. - Western Michigan's hockey team came out firing in the first period, racking up three goals in the first nine minutes en route to a 4-2 victory over host Northern Michigan in Central Collegiate Hockey Association action at Berry Events Center tonight. Sophomore Cam Watson had a career night to help lead the Broncos to victory, scoring two goals and adding an assist for his first ever multiple-point effort. WMU posted its first win of the season in league play and raised its overall record to 3-4-0 (1-2-0 CCHA) while Northern Michigan suffered its eighth straight loss and fell to 1-8-0 (0-7-0 CCHA).
“I thought that it was an entire team effort. I thought we competed real hard for 60 minutes,” head coach Jim Culhane said. “We were able to score on our opportunities and I think we all know it's very difficult to win on the road in this league. It was really a solid team effort.”
Watson put the Broncos up 1-0 at 2:23 of the first with his third goal of the season, beating the goalie high on the short side from the bottom of the right circle after receiving a pass from junior Dave Krisky on the point. Junior Patrick Galivan also assisted on the power-play goal, extending his point streak to four games.
Four minutes later the Broncos extended their edge to 2-0 when senior Brian Bicek intercepted a Wildcat pass in the defensive zone and chipped it across the blue line to senior Jeff Pierce, who skated into the offensive zone on a two-on-one break. Pierce slid the puck to sophomore Chris Clackson on the right side, who beat NMU netminder Reid Ellingson through the five hole as he moved laterally to cover his left post.
Junior Chris Frank registered his first goal of the season at 8:55 to push the WMU advantage to 3-0. Watson sprung Galivan and Frank for a two-on-one break, with Galivan streaking up the right side and centering the puck to Frank, who deflected it past Ellingson. Ellingson was pulled after the Broncos' third goal, scored on just four shots.
“Three goals just off the bat there was good. We haven't had too much of that this year so hopefully more will come,” Watson said. “I was in the right spot at the right time two times tonight and it worked out.”
At 1:01 of the second Watson tallied his second of the game to extend the Western Michigan lead to 4-0, collecting a rebound from a Krisky shot in the slot and sending it home for the first multiple-goal game of his career. Freshman Ryan Watson also garnered an assist on the play.
Northern Michigan's Phil Fox converted on a power play to put the Wildcats on the board 4-1 at 4:44. Jared Brown and Nick Sirota earned assists on the play. Later in the period Sirota banged home his sixth goal of the season to bring NMU within two 4-2. Matt Butcher and Nathan Sigmund garnered the assists.
Although NMU out shot the Broncos 8-2 in the third period, sophomore goaltender Riley Gill kept the Wildcats off the board to preserve the 4-2 road win for Western Michigan. Gill made 27 saves to earn the victory, while starter Ellingson took the loss for NMU, stopping just one shot while giving up three goals in 8:55. Brian Stewart relieved Ellingson, making 12 saves while surrendering one goal in 49:27. Western Michigan was 1-2 on the power play whilst the Wildcats converted one of five opportunities.
Tomorrow night the Broncos and Wildcats conclude their two-game series at 7:35 p.m. at Berry Events Center.
