BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Western Michigan opened up the 2014-15 regular season falling at Canisius, 4-2, in a back-and-forth game at the First Niagara Center on Friday night.

The Broncos were able to tie the game twice but never led as the Golden Griffins scored the game-winning goal early in the third period. WMU picked up goals from Will Kessel and Kenney Morrison and Frank Slubowski made 22 saves on the night. Canisius outshot WMU 26-24 on the night.

Canisius took a 1-0 lead at 17:18 in the first period after a Bronco defender knocked the puck back to his own net. The puck hit the post, popped up over Slubowski's shoulder and in. The goal was credited to Ralph Cuddemi.

Western Michigan struck back at 6:11 in the second period on the first of two power play goals of the night. Chris Dienes fired a shot from the left point and it was deflected into the slot by Aidan Muir. Kessel found the puck at his feet, spun, and fired it into the top of the net for his first goal of the season.

The Golden Griffins retook the lead at 16:34 on a power play goal of their own. After a shot by Doug Beck was saved by Slubowski the rebound kicked right to Tyler Wiseman at the side of the net and the senior forward punched it to send Canisius to the locker room with a 2-1 lead heading into the third period.

Morris lit the lamp at 5:46 on the power play with assists to Josh Pitt and Nolan LaPorte. Morrison had the puck at the right point and took it to center point before firing a blast past Asmundson for his first of the season.

The lead only lasted 21 seconds as Beck fired a shot that deflected into the net at 6:07 to give the Golden Griffins the lead again, 3-2.

Mike Sabitini added an empty-net goal at 19:00 to seal the victory for Canisius.

The two teams square off again on Saturday at 7:35 p.m.