KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University's hockey team built a two-goal lead and held on late for a 2-1 victory over No. 12/10 Union in front of 1,757 fans Saturday night at Lawson Arena. Western Michigan would like to apologize to our Bronco Insider subscribers for tonight's technical difficulties in the first period.
WMU got two goals from freshman forward Shane Berschbach and 23 saves from Jerry Kuhn on its way to improving to 9-6-4. It was the Broncos fourth victory over a ranked opponent this season. It was the also the second consecutive victory for Kuhn, who improved to 2-1-0 on the season and helped hold the nation's second-ranked scoring attack to a single goal.
Berschbach gave the Broncos a 1-0 lead 15:05 into the first period. Chase Balisy picked up a loose-puck in a two-on-one and slid a cross-ice pass to Berschbach, who went top-shelf over sprawling Dutchmen goaltender Keith Kinkaid for his first goal of the season. Dane Walters also picked up an assist on the tally.
Berschbach added his second goal of the game just 3:36 into the second period on the power play. Dennis Brown swung a pass around to Matt Tennyson, whose shot was blocked. Berschbach was able to knock in the rebound to give the Broncos a 2-0 lead. It was the only power play goal of the night for WMU and the fourth goal of the season for Berschbach. WMU was 1-of-4 on the power play.
The nation's number one power play unit was able to cut the Bronco lead in half at 12:30 of the second period when Dutchmen left winger Daniel Carr deflected a slap-shot from the point past Kuhn. Matt Bodie and Jeremy Welsh picked up assists on the goal, which was Carr's 10th of the season.
The Broncos were able to kill off two Dutchmen power plays in the third period to help preserve the win. The Dutchmen, who entered the game converting 37 percent of their power play chances, were held to 1-of-5 on the night.
Kinkaid made 17 saves in net for Union College, which fell to 10-4-3 on the season. The Dutchmen outshot WMU 24-19, tying a season low for WMU.
The two teams will meet again tomorrow afternoon at Lawson Arena, with face-off set for 4:05 p.m. and live coverage being provided on the Bronco Radio Network and Bronco Insider.
