Broncos Fall to Pioneers, 5-1

Box Score KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan hockey team fell 5-1 to No. 8 Denver at Lawson Ice Arena on Friday night.

Aidan Muir netted his second goal of the season for WMU (8-20-3, 5-15-1-1) and Trevor Gorsuch made 25 saves in relief but WMU couldn't dig out of a 4-0 hole from the first period. The Pioneers outshot the Broncos 40-21.

Sophomore Danton Heinen gave DU an early 1-0 lead just 3:48 into the first period after he tipped in a shot by Blake Hillman for his 14th goal of the season.

Denver pushed the lead 2-0 at 11:06 when Dylan Gambrell got one past starting goalie Lukas Hafner for his 12th of the season. Minutes later at 13:35 Tariq Hammond gave the Pioneers a 3-0 lead after he netted his first goal of the season just as a Western Michigan power play was expiring.

Quentin Shore punched in a goal on during a scramble around the net on a delayed penalty at 18:47 in the first period to push the lead to 4-0.

Midway through the second period Muir tallied after a centering pass by Taylor Fleming bounced off his leg and into the net. Fleming's assist was his sixth of the season and Griffen Molino notched his team-leading 12th helper.

DU responded with 3:51 left in the period after Matt Marcinew fired the puck into the net after another scramble out in front of the crease.

Neither team scored in the third period.

The two teams battle for the final time of the regular season on Saturday at 7 p.m. WMU will honor its senior class of J.T. Osborn, Nolan LaPorte and Hafner prior to the start. The game can be seen live on NCHC.tv and heard on the Bronco Radio Network.

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Players Mentioned

#55 Lukas Hafner: G; 6' 1"; Freshman

#16 Nolan LaPorte: F; 6' 0"; Freshman

#20 Taylor Fleming: D; 5' 11"; Freshman

#27 J.T. Osborn: F; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#12 Aidan Muir: F; 6' 4"; Freshman

#35 Trevor Gorsuch: G; 6' 2"; Freshman

#17 Griffen Molino: F; 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#55 Lukas Hafner
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: G

#16 Nolan LaPorte
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: F

#20 Taylor Fleming
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: D

#27 J.T. Osborn
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: F

#12 Aidan Muir
: 6' 4"; Freshman
: F

#35 Trevor Gorsuch
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: G

#17 Griffen Molino
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: F