KALAMAZOO -- In their final home game of the regular season the Western Michigan hockey team defeated No. 1 Ferris State 1-0 in a shootout after a 1-1 tie in front of a standing room only crowd of 4,344 at Lawson Ice Arena on Friday night.

Shane Berschbach netted the game-tying goal at 16:17 in the second period to force the tie, while Greg Squires netted the shootout winning goal in the seventh round. Frank Slubowski made 16 saves in net and then made seven saves during the shootout to help the Broncos move into a second place tie with Michigan in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. A loss by Lake Superior State allows the Broncos to finish in no worst than fifth place.

Jordie Johnston gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead at 4:25 in the second period on a laser from the right circle for his 17th of the season.

WMU responded with Berschbach's goal on the power play just over 10 minutes later. Dennis Brown played the puck to Besrchbach in the right circle and the sophomore winger snuck it past Taylor Nelson and into the net for his ninth of the season. Brown pushed his career-best assist total to 17, while Chase Balisy compounded on his career-best season with his 20th assist and 32nd point.

WMU outshot the Bulldogs 23-17 on the night and were 1-for-4 on the power play, while holding Ferris State scoreless on one power play.

The two teams battle again tomorrow night in Big Rapids at 7 p.m.