PLYMOUTH, Mich. – The Western Michigan hockey team defeated the U.S. Under-18 team, 9-4, in an exhibition contest at USA Hockey Arena Saturday night.
Eight Broncos finished with multi-point games, as
Tim Washe led the way with four points on two goals and two assists.
FIRST PERIOD
Goals came fast and furious in the first period, as the teams combined to light the lamp six times. The USNTDP got on the board first with a goal in the opening minute of play, but the Broncos responded shortly after.
Chad Hillebrand made a nice move in front of the net to knot the game at 1-1 just over four minutes into the contest.
Following that,
Alex Bump would put the Broncos in front, cleaning up a rebound in front of the goal, giving the Brown and Gold a 2-1 lead just under six minutes into the game. After the U.S. Under-18 team tied the game, Western Michigan would go on to earn a power play later in the period. Just six seconds in, Bump ripped a shot by the goaltender to put the Broncos back in front, 3-2.
As the frame began to tick down, the Broncos would find one more goal, with
Hugh Larkin finding Washe in front of the net. Washe tipped the puck into the net, giving Western Michigan a two-goal advantage going into the first intermission.
SECOND PERIOD
The scoring slowed down a touch in the second 20 minutes, but the Broncos were still able to score two goals. The USNTDP scored first in the period to cut the Broncos' lead to one, but
Ethan Phillips connected with
Dylan Wendt just minutes later to push the WMU lead back to two.
Not even a minute later,
Joe Cassetti found himself wide open in front of the net, and he ripped a shot by the USNTDP goaltender for a 6-3 Broncos lead. As the game moved to the middle portion of the second period, Bump tried to net his third goal of the game, but the U.S. Under-18 team would keep the puck out of the net.
In the final two minutes of the period,
Daniel Hilsendager, Phillips and Hillebrand would each get shots, but none of the attempts would find the back of the net. WMU carried a three-goal lead into the final 20 minutes of play.
THIRD PERIOD
WMU went to the power play early in the final period, getting two looks a piece from Bump and
Samuel Sjolund. Nothing would come of the chances, but the Broncos would go right back on the man advantage moments later.
After a Grainger look early in the man advantage,
Sam Colangelo found
Matteo Costantini wide open in front of the net, and he was able to beat the goalie for the Broncos' seventh goal of the night.
Just a few moments later, the USNTDP would score, but WMU would again respond with a goal of its own. Washe collected his second goal of the night, as he blasted a shot home from right in front of the net. That made the score 8-4 in favor of the visitors.
Jacob Napier got sent to the box late in the final period, but the Broncos were able to take care of two shots from the US and get back to full strength. For good measure, the Broncos would get one last power play to end the game, and the captain
Luke Grainger would tack on one more goal to close out a 9-4 win for Western Michigan.
UP NEXT
The Broncos will begin regular season play at home next Thursday against Ferris State. The game is set for 7 p.m. at Lawson Arena.
WMU will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of varsity hockey this season, which will be commemorated in a variety of ways. Along with a 50th anniversary logo at center ice, there will be special in-game tributes to former players and teams and an alumni weekend for the Colorado College series on January 26 and 27.
