COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Western Michigan hockey team took three of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference weekly honors after sweeping Bowling Green with forwards Ryan McAllister earning NCHC Rookie of the Week, sophomore Max Sasson earing NCHC Forward of the Week and senior Zak Galambos earning NCHC Defenseman of the Week.
McAllister helped WMU's offense roll past the Falcons with five points in the sweep. In the series opener he assisted on Max Sasson's goal that gave the Broncos a 3-1 lead before Sasson set him up for a goal to make it 4-1. On Friday he had a career-high three points with a goal and two assists. McAllister set up Sasson's game-winner in the 8-2 victory. He then scored early in the second period to push the lead to 5-0, before setting up the final goal of the game. All three of McAllister's assists were primary assists on the weekend and he is now tied for the nation's lead with eight points.
Sasson played a big part in WMU's sweep of Bowling Green. In Thursday's 4-1 win he had a goal and two assists for a season-high three points. Sasson set up the opening goal that gave WMU an early 1-0 lead. With a 2-1 lead and things stagnating for the Broncos he scored at 12:30 into the third period to push the lead to 3-1 before setting up Ryan McAllister's goal that made it 4-1. In Friday's 8-2 win he netted WMU's third goal of the game, proving the be the game-winner. He then capped the night off with his second to make it 8-2 in the final minutes.
Galambos had an assist in the series opener against the Falcons. His defensive play and interception led to the breakout of WMU's third goal of the game in the 4-1 win. He also helped the PK go a perfect 5-for-5. On Saturday he had his first career multi-goal game, netting two in the 8-2 win. Galambos gave WMU a 1-0 lead just 1:14 into the game and then added the 7th of the night in the 8-2 win. Galambos was on the ice for every even-strength goal the Broncos scored that night, finishing with a career-high +6 plus/minus.
No. 17 Western Michigan is back in action this weekend with a home-and-home against No. 13/12 Notre Dame. WMU travels to UND on Friday for a 7 p.m. puck drop before returning to Lawson Ice Arena on Saturday for a 6 p.m. start.
