KALAMAZOO -- The Western Michigan Bronco hockey team dropped its third straight game, falling to Michigan State 4-2 in front of a sold out Lawson Ice Arena on Saturday night.

Torey Krug and Mike Merrifield netted two goals each on the night for the Spartans, while WMU picked up goals from Kyle O'Kane and Derek Roehl. The Broncos outshot the Spartans 30-23 but were held scoreless on three power play attempts, while the Spartans capitalized on one of their five.

MSU once again took an early 1-0 lead in the first period on Merrifield's first of the night at 3:55. There was a scrum in front of the net after Lee Reimer's shot was saved and Merrifield punched in the rebound.

The Broncos answered at the 14:49 mark of the second period on an odd-man rush. J.J. Crew brought the puck down and gave it to Brett Beebe, who took it to the goal line. Beebe pasted the puck back to Roehl and the senior forward put it in low glove side for his third of the season.

Krug scored his first of the night at 2:45 in the third period on a five-on-three man advantage. His initial shot was blocked by Ian Slater but the puck bounced right back to the blade of his stick and he fired it again from the slot, beating WMU goalie Nick Pisellini between the legs.

Krug added his second of the night at 7:57 on a shot from the left point to give MSU a 3-1 lead but the Broncos took one back just minutes later.

Justin Kovacs was being held behind the MSU net but was able to break loose and found Kyle O'Kane near the crease for his second of the season. MSU was assessed a penalty after the goal but MSU was able to kill it off.

Merrifield put the game out of reach on his second of the night at 12:26 in the third period. Reimer fired a pass from the right circle that went through the slot to Merrifield, who poked it in for his sixth of the season.

Western Michigan has a quick turnaround as they head to Notre Dame on Tuesday night for a 7:05 puck drop. The game can be heard on the Bronco Radio Network and will also be broadcast by Comcast.