KALAMAZOO-- For the second night in a row, Western Michigan University's hockey team jumped out to an early lead and held on, this time for a 3-1 victory to earn a sweep of No. 12/10 Union in front of 1,532 fans at Lawson Arena Sunday afternoon.
Due to technical problems the game was not streamed live but will be available Sunday evening for replay on Bronco Insiders. WMU appologizes for the difficulties this weekend.
WMU got goals from Max Campbell, Mike Levendusky and Kyle O'Kane to earn their third straight victory and improve to 10-6-4 on the season. Jerry Kuhn earned his third straight victory in net for the Broncos, making 18 saves to help the Broncos end 2010 on a high note. It was the fifth victory for the Broncos over a ranked opponent this season, with all of those wins coming at Lawson Arena.
Campbell put the Broncos on the board 10:41 into the first period with his ninth goal of the season. Greg Squires took the puck up the boards through center ice, shook off a check and dropped off a pass to Campbell as he entered the zone. Campbell skated across to the left circle and, using the defenders as a screen, fired a shot over the stick shoulder of Union goaltender Keith Kinkaid to give WMU a 1-0 lead.
WMU took a 2-0 lead 2:03 into the second period. Ben Warda won a face-off that Ross Henry corralled at the blue-line and sent across to Levendusky, who ripped a slapshot into the back of the net for his second goal of the season.
The Broncos struck again just 29 seconds later. Derek Roehl centered a pass from the wing to O'Kane, who tipped the puck into a wide-open net to give WMU a 3-0 lead. The goal was O'Kane's fourth of the season, with Warda also picking up an assist on the tally. The two assists in the game by Warda were the first two of his WMU career.
Union pulled within 3-1 at the 6:00 mark of the second period on Wayne Simpson's sixth goal of the season. Mat Bodie was credited with an assist on the tally.
WMU was able to keep the Dutchmen off the board the rest of the way, led by Kuhn's 18 stops. With the victory, Kuhn improved to 3-1-0 on the season. WMU outshot the Dutchmen 25-19.
The Broncos get a two week break for the holidays before returning to action at Alaska-Fairbanks for a two-game series beginning Jan. 7. Face-off is set for 11:05 p.m. EST, with radio coverage being provided by the Bronco Radio Network.
