KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Senior
Max Campbell netted the game-winning goal at 13:57 in the third period to go along with a four-point night as No. 19 Western Michigan defeated No. 5 Miami, 5-2, in front of 2,556 fans on Friday night at Lawson Ice Arena.
Campbell tied a career-high with four points, tallying a goal and three assists. His previous career high of four came against Bowling Green on Jan. 22, 2010, when he notched four assists.
Ian Slater netted two goals, including WMU's first short-handed goal of the season, while
Greg Squires had a two point night with a goal and an assist and
Trevor Elias tallied a late goal in the third period.
The Broncos outshot Miami 26-19 on the night and WMU goalie
Nick Pisellini only needed to make 17 saves in the win. WMU also killed off four of Miami's five power plays on the night, holding the CCHA's top power-play team to just five shots on five advantages.
Western Michigan got an early jump on Miami on a power play goal at 10:29 in the first period. The RedHawks tried to trap the Broncos at the blue line but Campbell passed the puck across to Squires, who squeaked through the defensive line and in on Miami goalie Cody Reichard. Squires went high on Reichard's glove side and buried it under the crossbar for his fourth goal of the season. Campbell picked up his fifth assist of the season and
Luke Witkowski tallied his fourth helper. Miami had only allowed three power play goals in 48 chances in CCHA play before WMU opened up the game with the tally.
WMU extended its lead, 2-0, on a Miami power play at 17:40 in the first period. Reichard played the puck behind the net but his pass was broken up by Balisy and the freshman found Slater alone in front of the net for the short-handed goal. It was the Bronco's first short-handed goal of the season and Slater's third tally this year. Balisy picked up his fifth assist on the goal.
Miami took one back with a power play goal of their own 9:30 into the second period. Curtis McKenzie found a wide-open Max Cook in the slot and Pisellini stretched but couldn't make the save. McKenzie and Cameron Schilling tallied assists on Cook's first collegiate goal of his career.
The Broncos frustrated the RedHawks into taking five penalties in the second period and held Miami to two shots on goal.
Campbell broke the deadlock at 13:57 in the third period after
Ryan Watson passed him the puck from the right circle in the Bronco zone. The centerman from Strathroy, Ontario raced up the left side of the ice, beating a RedHawk defenseman to the Miami left circle. From there the New York Rangers' draft pick placed a wrister in the top right corner for his sixth goal of the season and his second game-winning goal of the season. Watson tallied his second assist of the season on the game-winner, but the Broncos were not done.
Minutes later Squires found Campbell on the right side of the ice and Campbell fired a shot from the right circle. Reichard made the initial save but the puck bounced out to the slot and Elias was there to bang it home for his first goal of the season, giving WMU a 4-2 lead. The assist was Campbell's second on the night and sixth of the season, while Squired tallied his sixth to complete the two-point game for him.
Desperation kicked in and Miami pulled Reichard for the extra attacker at the 18:33 mark in the third period. At 19:18 Slater netted his second goal of the night form the center red line near the Bronco bench.
Matt Tennyson had cleared the puck up to Campbell at the blue-line, who flicked it on to Slater and the junior captain buried it home for his fourth of the season.
Western Michigan hosts Miami on Saturday night at 7:35 p.m. The Broncos will be wearing camouflage jerseys to honor the United States military for Military Appreciation night.
