KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Aided by a hat trick from
Matteo Costantini, the Western Michigan hockey team was able to secure a 6-2 victory over Western Ontario Saturday night inside Lawson Arena.
Along with Costantini's three goals,
Samuel Sjolund chipped in two and
Sam Colangelo netted the other.
Kirk Laursen collected the win in net for the Broncos.
FIRST PERIOD
After penalties on both teams in the opening few minutes of the game, the Broncos began to take control and went on the attack. About 20 seconds after
Tim Washe hit the post, Costantini was able to put WMU in front with his first goal of the night.
Down the stretch of the period
Jacob Napier and
Ethan Phillips would get good looks on net, but UWO would keep the Broncos at one goal heading into the second frame.
SECOND PERIOD
Western Michigan continued its hot streak on the power play, making the Mustangs pay for a boarding penalty just under seven minutes into the second 20 minutes.
Colangelo missed a shot wide to open the man advantage, but the puck eventually found his stick again, and he buried this attempt to make it a 2-0 WMU lead.
During the middle portion of the period, Western Ontario would fight back, grabbing two goals to tie the game. However, less than a minute after the game-tying goal from the Mustangs, Costantini was able to put the Broncos back in front, 3-2.
The Broncos picked up a penalty in the late stages of the second period, but they still carried a one-goal lead into the final period.
THIRD PERIOD
Moments after killing off the Mustang power play, Costantini found his third goal of the game to push WMU in front 4-2 just over a minute into the third frame.
Moments later, UWO was sent off for boarding, and the Broncos made the Mustangs pay once again. This time, Sjolund ripped a shot from the point that found the back of the net, making the score 5-2 in favor of the home team.
As the game moved to the middle portion of the final 20 minutes, Phillips ripped a shot that went off the back boards and Sjolund was eventually able to collect his second goal of the game. That pushed the WMU lead to 6-2.
Down the stretch, WMU would kill off one more Mustang power play and close out a comfortable 6-2 win.
UP NEXT
WMU will hit the ice again on Jan. 5 at Lindenwood. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET.
