QUOTES
Box Score
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Despite never trailing in the game, Western Michigan fell to No. 11 Michigan State 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd of 4,092 at Lawson Ice Arena.
Kurt Kivisto led the shootout off with a goal, beating Western Michigan (1-5-2, 0-2-2-1 CCHA) goaltender Riley Gill high and on his glove side. Cam Watson went next for the Broncos but his shot was blocked by MSU goaltender Drew Palmisano. Daultan Leveille followed Watson but Gill slid the puck away and no shot was attempted. Freshman Greg Squires followed, beating Palmisano on his stick side to tie the shootout, 1-1. The deciding goal came by Matt Schepke, beating Gill in the same spot as Kivisto. Patrick Galivan tried to force sudden death but his shot went wide.
“I thought it was a fantastic effort on our part," said Gill. "Michigan State, 11th ranked team in the country. We played them really tough and I thought we were the better team tonight, but with the shootout rule now we were on the unfortunate end there.”
After a scoreless first period the Broncos drew first blood just 43 seconds after the puck dropped to start the second. Freshman Kevin Connauton picked up his first career goal after Cam Watson tracked down a loose puck. Watson passed it to Connauton who fired from the far point and between Palmisano's legs.
Michigan State tied the game up, 1-1, with 2:18 remaining in the second period. Tim Crowder put in a rebound from a shot by Schepke for his second of the season.
Western Michigan recaptured the lead, 2-1, 8:13 into the third period. Defenseman Tyler Ludwig fired a shot from the far point for his first goal of the season. Max Campbell and Watson picked up assists on the power-play goal with Campbell tallying his first helper of the season and Watson picking up his fourth and second of the game.
Michigan State scored the game-tying goal minutes later at the 10:09 mark. Trevor Nill tapped a slow rolling puck that inched its way across the goal-line and passed Gill's out-stretched skate.
“We just need to keep it under keel, not get too high, not get too low," said head coach Jim Culhane "It's a long year. And now we get ready for Nebraska Omaha. I think we cant peak and valley too much with their emotions. Our preparation will stay consistent. We didn't prepare for this weekend differently at all. It's been a consistent approach and it will be the same going in for Nebraska-Omaha.”
The Broncos host cluster-opponent Nebraska-Omaha on Friday and Saturday with both games starting at 7:35 p.m. Saturday's game will be televised on Comcast Local.
