KALAMAZOO -- The comeback attempt fell short for the Western Michigan Broncos as they fell to Michigan State, 3-2, in front of a standing-room only crowd of 4,052 at Lawson Ice Arena on Friday night.

Western Michigan outshot the Spartans 40-16, including just three shots on goal in the third period, but were unable to come back from a 3-1 lead. The Broncos picked up goals from Matt Tennyson and Dennis Brown but MSU goalie Will Yanakeff made 38 saves on the night to hold on.

MSU took a very early 1-0 lead after Daultan Leveille put in his own rebound at the 2:43 mark. An initial shot by Tim Buttery from the right point was saved by Nick Pisellini but no one cleared out Leveille and on his second shot he put it into the net for his first goal of the season.

Michigan State added to its lead at 8:16 in the second period on goal in transition by Kevin Walrod. The junior was sprung free by Anthony Hayes and skated in on Pisellini for the his third goal of the season.

The Broncos struck back for their first power play goal since Oct. 28 at the 14:27 mark in the second period. Shane Berschbach cycled the puck to Tennyson, who blased it through Yanakeff's five-hole for his third goal of the season. Berschbach and Brown each tallied assists on the goal to cut the lead to 2-1.

MSU responded minutes later and capitalized on a Bronco turnover in the neutral zone. Greg Wolfe broke up the play at center ice and got the puck out to Lee Reimer. Reimer found Mike Merrifield and he skated into the slot and put it into the net for his fourth of the season.

WMU added a goal just 1:05 into the third period by Brown but the Spartans held on to hand WMU its second loss in a row.

Western Michigan and Michigan State battle it out on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Comcast and simulcast on Bronco Insider.