KALAMAZOO-- Western Michigan University's hockey team was unable to hold two early leads, as Lake Superior State scored four unanswered goals to defeat the Broncos 5-2 in front of 2,817 fans at Lawson Arena Friday Night.
WMU took a 2-1 lead early in the second period, but the Lakers rallied for three goals in the period and added a late tally for the victory. With the loss, WMU fell to 7-6-4 overall and 3-5-3-2 in CCHA play. Nick McParland scored the game-winning goal in the second period and goaltender Kevine Kapalka turned away 27 Bronco shots to help the Lakers improve to 6-6-4 overall and 4-6-3-2 in the CCHA.
Ben Warda put the Broncos on top for the second time of the night 4:24 into the second period with his second goal of the season. Warda outmuscled a Lakers defenseman for the puck near center ice, skated in on right wing and beat Kapalka with a wrist-shot. Dane Walters and Matt Tennyson each tallied assists on the goal.
The Laker rally began at 12:57 of the second period when Ben Power evened up the score on a shot from the right wing, assisted by Chad Nehring. McParland's goal proved to be the game-winner, as he jammed a loose-puck past WMU netminder Nick Pisellini after Colin Campbell and Domenic Morendo worked the puck to the front of the night. It was the only power-play tally of the night for the Lakers, who finished 1-of-5. Dan Radke added an insurance goal from Kyle Jean and Matt Bruneteau just under two minutes later to give the Lakers a 4-2 lead.
Pisellini (7-5-4) was relieved after the second period by Jerry Kuhn, who turned away eight of the nine shots he faced in the final period. Rick Schofield added another goal late for the Lakers, jamming home a rebound off a McParland one-timer. Tyson Hobbins scored the other Lakers goal unassisted at 14:25 of the first period.
Dennis Brown scored his first career goal 3:31 into the first period to give the Broncos their first lead of the night.
Chase Balisy fed Brown at the middle of the blue line, who blasted a slap-shot that beat Lakers goaltender Kapalka stick-side.
Shane Berschbach was also credited with an assist on the goal. The Broncos were 1-of-4 on the power play and outshot the Lakers 29-19.
The Broncos will look to rebound when the two teams play their second game of the weekend series Saturday night at Lawson Arena, with face-off set for 7:35 p.m. In between the first and second periods of tomorrow night's contest, the Broncos will hold their "Teddy-Bear Toss", with all bears collected being donated to the Bronson Children's Hospital.
