KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Even though senior Cameron Rowe's season last year between the pipes for Western Michigan University's hockey team was a good one, the goaltender knew it could have been better.

''The first year, I think, had its ups and downs,'' the transfer from Wisconsin said. ''I didn't start out the way it needed to be in the first half where the team was doing well, we were in a decent spot, but not a great spot.

''Then in the second half, everything came together and we turned it around. The end of the year speaks for itself.''

The Broncos were 13-6 in their final 19 games, starting with two huge wins in December to take the trophy in the Great Lakes Invitational. There was a seven-game winning streak and a four-game winning streak during those 13 wins.

So far, this season is off to a far better start. The Broncos are 3-0-1 heading into the start of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference play this weekend where the No. 11-ranked Broncos play at Nebraska-Omaha (2-1-1) on Friday and Saturday nights.

''I loved our first four games and we've played a lot of quality hockey,'' WMU head coach Pat Ferschweiler said. ''We're facing a quality opponent in that Omaha is a good hockey team, has a very, very good goaltender and I think is underrated.''

With a change in his offseason training, Rowe has helped the Broncos the unbeaten start. 

''I lost around 15-20 pounds in the offseason and it has really helped,'' Rowe said. "It got to the point where the weight was a hindrance on my play.

''At the start of last season, I wasn't conditioned enough, I wasn't prepared for it and I thought I was. I needed someone to give me some hard love a little bit and coach did that, he got through to me in our exit meeting which was 35-40 minutes long and it was all positive things.''

Ferschweiler couldn't be more proud of his goaltender, whose winning percentage of .875 this season ranks him tied for fourth nationally. 

''In his first year, there was a lot of quality play, but there was some inconsistency as well,'' the head coach said. ''We talked about things for the offseason and he really received it well.

''I challenged him at the end of last year to invest in himself with success off the ice and he changed his body which really helped in his confidence and daily preparation.''

Already a 6-foot, 3-inch netminder, the weight he lost has helped him in a lot of ways.

''I feel the loss of weight has made me quicker and helped with my conditioning,'' he said. ''With the weight last season, it hurt me in the second game of back-to-back games.

''I just felt exhausted. The difference from how I feel now compared to last year is completely different because you get super exhausted like that and your details start to fall. Now, the conditioning has helped me keep doing what I need to do.''

He needed to help the Broncos get off to a strong start, which is what has happened. WMU is averaging 4.75 goals per game, which is third in the nation and its 2.75 goals allowed is 28th. Its 2.00 scoring margin is fifth in the nation.

''I think there are positives and things we can learn from so far this season,'' the goaltender said. ''We've been down and come back, we started games with a lead and kept the lead and been in close games which have been back and forth and been able to pull away.

''I think that is a really good identity of this team, like last year when we were winning a lot of games at the end. We'll take a 3-0-1 start.''

Like any good player, Rowe will analyze his play as to what did, and didn't, happen.

''I'm not looking at 'I gave up this goal', the difference is understanding what it could have been. Learn from the mistake and prevent it from happening in the future,'' he said. ''We're in a good spot.''

He's wanted to be the man on the spot since he was eight years old. Rowe played his first three years as a defenseman, but quickly realized he wanted to be on the ice all the time. To do that, he became a goaltender.

''Actually, the first reason I liked being a goaltender was I liked all the gear,'' he said with a smile. ''The first season I tried it was in the spring and it was only six-week season so my dad and I went into the basement of the rink and found some kids gear.

''He said that we'll try it for the short season, and if you don't like it, you can move on.''

Rowe loved it.

''I don't remember my first save, but I do remember I loved playing in goal,'' he said.

Of course, there is the pressure of being the last line of defense. One move the wrong way, and the puck is in the net.

''Every shot doesn't go in the net if you stop it so there is a lot of responsibility,'' Ferschweiler said. ''The forwards can make a mistake, but the defense is there. Then the defense can make a mistake, but the goaltender is there.
''If it goes through the goalie, it's on you.''

And there comes the part of a goaltender, maybe, trying to be a perfectionist. That's something which is near impossible to do, according to Rowe.

''It's part of the position that even if you play everything perfectly, the puck can somehow go into the back of the net,'' he said. ''We're playing against great guys, I could be completely squared up and someone makes a great shot or an amazing play. That's just hockey and why I don't think you can be a perfectionist as a goaltender.

''I'm upset when I give up a goal, but at the same time, I look at like let's focus on the next shot and make the save. Guys can get super anxious about trying to be perfect all the time and that's when you start to think too much and that's when things can go wrong.''

So far this season, a lot has gone right for Rowe and the Broncos.

''The coaches and his teammates see he is more confident as a player and a person,'' Ferschweiler said.