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Western Michigan University Athletics

WMU Upsets No. 1 Omaha, 4-2

Men's Ice Hockey WMU

WMU Upsets No. 1 Omaha, 4-2

Box Score

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Four different Broncos scored and Collin Olson made 31 saves as the Western Michigan hockey team upset No. 1 Omaha, 4-2, at Lawson Ice Arena on Friday night.

Frederik Tiffels, Nolan LaPorte, Sheldon Dries, and Aaron Hadley each tallied with Dries getting the game-winning goal at 13:30 in the second period to hand the Mavericks (6-1-0, 0-1-0-0 NCHC) their first lost of the season. WMU (3-2-1, 1-0-0-0 NCHC) was outshot 33-25 but Olson stopped nearly everything for his second career win in the Brown and Gold.

Tiffels gave the Broncos an early 1-0 lead at 5:01 in the first period. Oliwer Kaski started a rush up to Griffen Molino. Molino flipped the puck towards the net from the right circle and Tiffels redirected it into the goal for his first of the season.

It was the first time this season that the Mavericks had trailed but it didn't last long as Justin Parizek converted on a 2-on-1 after Tyler Vesel created a turnover at the WMU blue line. The goal was Parizek's second of the season at 7:18.

The Broncos responded quickly as LaPorte fired a snipe into the top-right corner of the net to regain the lead at 2-1. Chris Dienes picked up his first assist of the season on the goal.

Omaha opened up the scoring in the second period at 5:24 with Jake Guentzel tying the game at 2-2. After the Mavericks had killed off a WMU power play Luc Snuggerud created a turnover at the blue line. Parizek found Guentzel all alone in the slot and he beat Olson stick-side for his third goal of the season.

Once gain Western Michigan was able to respond, this time with Dries' game-winner. Corey Scheuneman fed Mike McKee the puck at the blue line and the Red Wings draft pick skated into the right circle, drawing the Omaha defender over. McKee left a drop pass for Dries in the slot and he fired it into an open net to take a 3-2 lead.

Dries' goal held but Hadley added his first collegiate goal at 2:45 in the third period as insurance. Freshman forward Colt Conrad found Hadley in the right corner and the junior forward skated in and snuck one by Omaha goaltender Kirk Thompson to seal the game at 4-2.

The Mavericks pulled their goalie with 1:50 remaining to try to cut the lead but the Broncos blocked three of their game-high 17 shots in the game's final moments.

Neither team was able to convert with the man advantage. Omaha finished the night 0-for-3 and for only the second time this season the Broncos did not score a power play goal, going 0-for-2.

The two teams battle again on Saturday at 7 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Nolan LaPorte

#16 Nolan LaPorte

F
6' 0"
Freshman
Chris Dienes

#9 Chris Dienes

D
6' 2"
Freshman
Sheldon Dries

#8 Sheldon Dries

F
5' 9"
Freshman
Aaron Hadley

#23 Aaron Hadley

F
6' 3"
Freshman
Mike McKee

#2 Mike McKee

D
6' 5"
Freshman
Frederik Tiffels

#19 Frederik Tiffels

F
6' 1"
Freshman
Colt Conrad

#29 Colt Conrad

F
5' 10"
Freshman
Oliwer Kaski

#18 Oliwer Kaski

D
6' 2"
Freshman
Griffen Molino

#17 Griffen Molino

F
6' 0"
Freshman
Collin Olson

#31 Collin Olson

G
6' 4"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Nolan LaPorte

#16 Nolan LaPorte

6' 0"
Freshman
F
Chris Dienes

#9 Chris Dienes

6' 2"
Freshman
D
Sheldon Dries

#8 Sheldon Dries

5' 9"
Freshman
F
Aaron Hadley

#23 Aaron Hadley

6' 3"
Freshman
F
Mike McKee

#2 Mike McKee

6' 5"
Freshman
D
Frederik Tiffels

#19 Frederik Tiffels

6' 1"
Freshman
F
Colt Conrad

#29 Colt Conrad

5' 10"
Freshman
F
Oliwer Kaski

#18 Oliwer Kaski

6' 2"
Freshman
D
Griffen Molino

#17 Griffen Molino

6' 0"
Freshman
F
Collin Olson

#31 Collin Olson

6' 4"
Junior
G