BIG RAPIDS, Mich. -- Frank Slubowski made 25 saves to earn his third shutout of the season as Western Michigan went on the road to blank No. 1 Ferris State, 3-0, in front of a sold out crowd of 2,493 at Ewigleben Arena on Saturday night.
The win was WMU's (17-13-6, 14-10-4-4 CCHA) first over a No. 1 ranked team since a 4-2 win over Michigan State on Feb. 16, 2001. Slubowski stole the show on the night to earn his 13th win of the season. The freshman netminder made 11 saves in the first period and seven of his 25 came while killing off five Ferris State power plays.
Danny DeKeyser paced the offense for the Broncos with his first-career two-goal game. He opened up the scoring just 3:49 into the first period on a WMU power play. DeKeyser took a pass from
Luke Witkowski in the high slot and his wrist shot deflected off of traffic and into the net for his fourth of the season. Witkowski tallied his career-high ninth assist on the goal, while
Greg Squires tallied his ninth of the season to give WMU the early 1-0 lead.
Midway through the second period
Shane Berschbach netted his second goal of the series and career-high 10th of the season at 12:46. Berschbach came off the bench and Squires found him at the blue line. The sophomore winger fired it high glove side past FSU goalie C.J. Motte and into the net. The assist was Squires 10th of the season and second on the night, while
Dennis Brown also notched his 18th helper.
In desperation and down 2-0, Ferris State pulled Motte for the extra attacker in the final minute but after a save by Slubowski, DeKeyser flung the puck down the ice and it trickled into the net to put the game away at 3-0. Slubowski earned his first career assist on the goal.
Western Michigan finished the regular season in second place, matching the best finish in program history, tying the 1985-86 team. The Broncos will host an opponent to be determined on March 9, 10 and 11 if necessary in the CCHA Quarterfinals. Times are still to be determined and tickets are available online at www.wmubroncos.com/tickets and by calling 1-888-4-WMUTIX.
