OXFORD, Ohio – Freshman goalie Ben Blacker made 20 saves while freshmen Cam Lee and Hugh McGing both scored as the 10th ranked Western Michigan hockey team won its third straight game, beating Miami 2-1 on the road on Friday night.
WMU (14-6-3, 8-6-1-1) outshot the RedHawks 32-21 on the night, including a 16-4 edge in the first period. The Bronco penalty kill was also on point, shutting down MU's power play on all four chances and allowing just three total shots on goal. Blacker allowed one goal for the third time the season to earn his ninth win.
Lee's first career goal gave the Broncos a 1-0 lead at 6:01 in the first period. Aaron Hadley found the young defenseman at the center point and Lee fired a shot through traffic and into the net. Hadley picked up his fifth assist on the season and extended his point streak to three games, while Michael Rebry also tallied a helper.
The Broncos thought they had a 2-0 lead heading into the second period after Corey Schueneman went coast-to-coast to score but it was ruled a teammate was offside on the play and the goal was taken off the board after the review.
Miami tied it up on a short-handed goal by Louie Belpedio at 8:15 in the second period. The RedHawks took advantage of WMU changing lines and Belpedio finished off a pass by Grant Hutton for his sixth goal of the season.
Western Michigan responded minutes later at 11:44 when McGing jammed in the puck into the net from the right side of the crease for his third goal of the season. Wade Allison sent the puck around the net and McGing took control and punched it in. The assist was Allison's eighth of the season, while Lee also added an assist for a two-point game.
The Broncos clamped down and Blacker made 16 of his 20 saves in the final two periods.
The two teams are back at it for the final time of the regular season on Saturday at 7 p.m. The game can be seen live on NCHC.tv and heard live on the Bronco Radio Network.
