KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The fifth-ranked Western Michigan hockey team fell at home to No. 3 Denver, 4-1, at Lawson Ice Arena on Friday night.
 
Cole Gallant gave the Broncos a 1-0 lead at 11:31 in the first period on a shot form the top of the right circle. Ethen Frank played it up to Gallant at the entry of the DU zone and the senior forward fired it into the top-left corner of the net for his eighth goal of the season. Frank picked up his 10th assist of the year and Aidan Fulp also picked up his 10th. The goal came on WMU's first shot on goal in the game.
 
It was all Pioneers after that. Carter Savoie scored at 17:12 on the power play to tie it up at 1-1 before Bobby Brink gave DU the lead at 6:16 on another power play tally.
 
Junior goalie Brandon Bussi kept it close as Denver limited WMU's chances, with 23 saves through the first two periods.
 
Mike Benning scored his 11th goal of the season to push the lead at 7:07 in the third period ,with Carter Mazur adding DU's third power play goal of the night just over a minute later to make it 4-1.
 
Denver outshot Western Michigan 36-23 on the night, including holding the Broncos to six shots in the first and the third periods.
 
The two teams meet again on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are sold out but the game will be streamed live on NCHC.tv and can be heard live on the Bronco Media Network.