KALAMAZOO-- After trailing by a goal after two periods, Western Michigan University's hockey team exploded for four third period goals to defeat Lake Superior State 4-1 in front of 2,706 at Lawson Arena Saturday night.
After trailing 1-0 entering the final stanza, the Broncos fought back with third period goals from Mike Levendusky, Dane Walters, Max Campbell and Ben Warda to earn the weekend split with Lakers and improve to 8-6-4 overall and 4-5-3-2 in CCHA play. WMU netminder Jerry Kuhn turned away 28 Laker shots to earn his first-career CCHA win and first win of the season.
Levendusky scored his first goal of the season 5:06 into the third period after a delayed penalty call. Campbell picked up a puck in the Bronco end and skated down on the left wing into the Lakers zone. Settling the puck, Campbell passed off to a wide-open Levendusky between the circles, who found the back of the net to tie the score 1-1.
The delayed penalties resulted in a five-on-three advantage for WMU, which the Broncos were able to capitalize on just 21 seconds later. Chase Balisy made a cross-ice pass to Tennyson, who ripped a slapshot into the corner of the net and Walters redirected it into the net for the game-winner. Tennyson and Balisy each tallied
WMU capitalized again on the power-play at 9:17 with Campbell's team-leading eighth goal of the season. Greg Squires hustled over to the boards to hold in a clearing attempt and fed Dan DeKeyser, who fired a cross-ice feed to Campbell for the one-timer to give the Broncos a 3-1 lead. It was the second of two power play goals for the Brown & Gold, who were 2-of-5 on the man advantage.
Warda added another insurance tally for WMU at 14:40 of the third period. Derek Roehll took a wrap-around behind the net to the right wing, turned to shift the puck to the forehand, and wristed a shot that deflected off of Warda's skate and past Lakers goaltender Kevin Kapalka. Kyle O'Kane and Roehl each tallied assists on the goal.
Nick McParland scored his second goal in as many nights at 6:02 of the second period for the Lakers. McParland's goal was his fourth of the season and was assisted by Rick Schofield.
The Broncos outshot the Lakers in every period, holding a 39-29 advantage overall. With the loss, the Lakers fell to 6-10-4 on the season, 4-7-4-3 in the CCHA.
WMU will take a break from its conference schedule next weekend when they host 13th-ranked Union College at Lawson Arena Saturday and Sunday. Face-off for Saturday's game is set for 7:35 p.m. with the Sunday game slated for a 4:05 p.m. start.
