Box score
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Western Michigan's men's hockey team dropped an exhibition match, 4-2, to the United States World Junior team on Tuesday night at Lawson Ice Arena in front of 1,924 fans.
Freshman center Max Campbell scored WMU's two goals and all three goalies saw action for the Broncos. Riley Gill had the start and made 14 saves before Jerry Kuhn replaced him midway through the second period when both teams switched goalies. Kuhn made 17 saves for the Broncos and Matt Federico relieved Kuhn late in the third, stopping two Team USA shots.
"It's a tremendous opportunity for our program and the community at large. The guys next door wearing the stars and stripes are selected to represent our country over at the World Juniors, and that's the elite young players that we're up against," head coach Jim Culhane said.
"Our guys worked extremely hard and battled. Obviously the shots are two to one in their favor, but I don't think you can fault our effort and determination throughout the hockey game."
Team USA struck first on a power play late in the opening period when Kyle Okposo beat Gill on a feed from Jamie McBain and Cade Fairchild at 16:55. Minutes later at the 18:07 point Ryan Flynn put one past Gill on a quick centering pass from Blake Geoffrion who was behind the net. Flynn took the pass in front of the net, beating Gill on a quick one-timer. USA would head into the locker room with a 2-0 lead on the Broncos, outshooting them 12-3 in the first period.
Western Michigan answered 8:11 into the second period, when Campbell beat USA goalie Jeremy Smith during a three-on-two rush. Cam Watson and Patrick Galivan both picked up assists on the goal. USA would answer the Campbell goal five minutes later when Jamie McBain scored on a power play, with Matt Rust and Colin Wilson earning assists on the goal. Only one minute later Campbell scored his second goal of the evening on a long pass from senior defender Nathan Ansell and beat Joe Palmer, who replaced Smith midway through the second period. The Broncos headed into the locker room after two, down 3-2.
The Broncos would get five good chances on Palmer in the third but were unable to capitalize. USA added their fourth goal of the night with just 2:57 remaining in the third period when Rhett Rakhshani fired the puck in on net. Kuhn made the save but could not control the rebound, which bounced behind him and a diving Mike Carman put it in the net. Rakhshani and Bobby Sanguinetti earned assists on the goal.
"Playing a team of that caliber, we knew we had to step it up. Last week was a huge step in the right direction and I think we continued that tonight," junior left wing Jeff LoVecchio said.
Kuhn took the loss, surrendering two goals in 25:55 of play. Gill and Smith each saw 31:08 of action with Smith stopping three shots to claim the win, while Palmer turned aside nine in 28:52 and Federico's two saves were in 2:57. Team USA was 2-3 on the power-play whilst holding Western Michigan scoreless in two opportunities.
Western Michigan breaks for the holidays before returning to action Dec. 29-30 when it travels to Vermont for the Catamount Cup. The Broncos will face Quinnipiac at 4:05 p.m. on Dec. 29, then will face either Holy Cross or the host Catamounts the following day.
