KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan hockey team continued its hot streak by defeating Colorado College 4-1 Friday night inside Lawson Arena. The Broncos have now won 10 of their last 11 games and remain tied for second in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. 

After a Tigers goal in the first period, NCAA goal leader Jason Polin knotted the game at 1-1 just over 13 minutes into the contest. The two teams wouldn't score in the second period, but WMU opened things up in the third. Jack Perbix netted the go-ahead goal and Chad Hillebrand gave the Broncos a 3-1 lead just moments later. The Tigers pulled their goalie late in the game and Polin was able to light the lamp one more time. 

The Tigers jumped out in front just under five minutes into the game, with Stanley Cooley finding the back of the net on the power play. From there, it was all WMU, though, as Polin found the equalizer later in the period, with Ryan McAllister and Dylan Wendt picking up assists on the power-play goal. In the final six minutes of the first period, each team would tally just one shot on net. 

Defense stole the show in the second period, as neither team would net a goal in the second 20 minutes. Colorado College came out firing, though, putting five shots on goal in the first five minutes of the period. WMU would find some offensive life after that run, peppering three shots on net that Kaidan Mbereko was able to turn away. In the middle portion of the period, both teams would get good looks, with Mbereko just getting a piece of a McAllister shot. Cameron Rowe was then able to make a strong save in front of the net to keep the score deadlocked at 1-1. Rowe was stellar down the stretch of the period, making five saves over the final five minutes. The two teams headed to the final period tied at 1-1. 

Just over five minutes in to the final period, WMU thought it had taken the lead when Wendt nailed the post. The play was eventually reviewed, but the referees determined the puck did not cross the line. However, the Broncos kept the offensive momentum, and Perbix found the go-ahead goal at the 9:14 mark of the period. Zak Galambos and Wendt were credited with the assists. Just a few minutes later, Hillebrand was able to give WMU a two-goal lead, thanks to some nice assists from Cole Gallant and Luke Grainger. 

The Tigers pulled Mbereko with just over three minutes to play, as they needed two goals to tie the game. Rowe made four saves before Polin was able to hit the empty net for the final goal of the night. The goal gave Polin 26 on the season, which is the nation's highest total. As the clock ticked down, Rowe would make one more save to secure the 4-1 victory. In total, Rowe had 24 saves, including a 15-save second period. 

The Broncos and Tigers will meet again tomorrow night at 6 p.m. inside Lawson Arena. WMU has taken the first three games of the season series, with all three games ending in 4-1 victories.