Box Score
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Senior defenseman Nathan Ansell scored a goal and notched an assists as Western Michigan downed Ferris State, 4-3, in front of 2,291 fans at Lawson Arena on Friday night.
Junior winger Matt Clackson scored the game-winning goal for Western Michigan (7-17-1, 3-15-0) on a pass from his brother Chris Clackson, 7:35 into the third period. Freshman winger Adam Flink passed the puck to Chris behind the net. Chris held the puck until his brother made his way in front of the net. Chris passed the puck and Matt put it in the net past Ferris State goalie Pat Nagle as he was being bulled over from behind. The even strength goal put the Broncos up 4-3, and was the third of the season for Matt, with Chris earning his third assist on the season and Flink tallying the second helper of his career.
From there WMU's defense took over and was able to stifle Ferris State (10-11-2, 7-9-1 CCHA) and held them to just six shots on goal in the third period.
"We played with passion, worked extremely hard and we were able to find a way to come back in the third," said head coach Jim Culhane.
Western Michigan squared the game, 3-3, 1:01 into the third period on a shot by Ansell that was deflected into the net by freshman center Max Campbell. Campbell picked up his fourth goal on the season and Ansell earned his fourth assist of the season. Junior winger Pat Galivan picked up his team leading 17th assist on the goal that knotted the score at three.
"We have played a number of those games where we didn't get the results for hard work," said coach Culhane. "But we get the two points in the standings and we are pleased about that."
The Broncos got things rolling early in on a goal by Ryan Watson just 1:06 into the first period. O'Connor got the puck on the point from Jeff Pierce and wound up for a slap shot that deflected off of Watson and beat Nagle. Watson's goal was his third of the season and he has now scored a goal in two straight games. Pierce picked up his fifth assist of the season and Ansell earned his fourth to give the Broncos an early 1-0 lead.
Ferris State answered just minutes later to tie the game on a goal by Brendan Conolly. Conolly picked up his ninth goal on the season and Jim Jorgensen picked up his third assist on the season. Ferris struck again just 23 seconds later on a goal by Mike Fillinger. Blair Riley earned his first assist on the season and Adam Miller picked up his 10th and put the Bulldogs up, 2-1.
WMU squared the game, 2-2, less than a minute later on a power-play goal by Ansell. Ansell fired a slapshot from the far point to pick up his third goal on the season. Galivan and sophomore defenseman Tyler Ludwig each earned assists on the game-tying goal, with Galivan earning his 16th on the season and Ludwig adding his seventh.
Ferris State struck again with 4:45 remaining in the first period on a power-play goal by Cody Chupp. Chupp's fifth of the year sent the Bulldogs into the locker room with a 3-2 lead. Justin Menke picked up his ninth assist on the season and Riley added his second assist of the game.
After a period that included five goals and a stretch of three goals in 1:18, the second period was quiet. The Broncos registered 10 shots on goal and Ferris State had nine.
WMU goaltender RiIey Gill (5-12-0) picked up his fifth win of the season and made 29 saves. Nagle (5-5-0) stopped 21 shots for the Bulldogs.
Western Michigan travels to Big Rapids to complete the season series and the weekend home-and-home Saturday night at 7:05 p.m.
