KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan handed Denver its third consecutive loss with a 3-2 victory on Friday night at Lawson Arena. The win pushes WMU's record to 10-2-1 overall and 6-0-1 in NCHC play. 

The Broncos got goals from Tim Washe, Matteo Costantini and Zack Sharp. Sharp's tally was the first of his career. In net, Cameron Rowe made 29 saves en route to his seventh win of the season. Rowe has 61 career victories. 

FIRST PERIOD
Costantini got the first shot of the game, testing DU goaltender Matt Davis about two minutes in. WMU was then given the game's first penalty, being sent off for interference. Rowe saved one shot and Robby Drazner blocked another to get back to full strength. 

A few minutes later, however, the Broncos were sent off for goaltender interference. Rowe was again strong, stopping four shots to get the team back to full strength. About 15 seconds after the DU power play, WMU was given its first and only man advantage of the night. 

Grant Slukynsky got the lone shot on the power play, and Denver was able to get back to even strength. Down the stretch of the period, WMU was persistent on offense and struck with under a minute to play. Washe raced by DU's defense and put the puck between the legs of Davis for the game's first goal. 

WMU carried that one-goal lead into the middle period. 

SECOND PERIOD
In the opening two minutes of the middle frame, WMU blocked a shot and Rowe made a nice save to maintain the one-goal edge. Alex Bump and Costantini had nice looks as the game progressed to the back half of the period. 

The Bronco offense would eventually strike again, with Costantini finding the back of the net. Brian Kramer fired a shot on net that was tipped by Iiro Hakkarainen. The puck eventually fell to Costantini who finished the play for his third goal of the season. 

Not even a minute later, Sharp took a nice pass from Cam Knuble and wristed a shot by Davis to make it a 3-0 game with under eight minutes to play in the second period. Bump and Washe had great chances on net as the period ticked under five minutes. 

Drazner had a shot saved in the closing minutes, and the Broncos took a three-goal lead to the final period. 

THIRD PERIOD
Denver made a switch in net to begin the third period, as Freddie Halyk took over between the pipes. WMU tested him early getting a pair of looks from Costantini to go along with one from Tristan Lemyre. After some back-and-forth action, Denver would pull the game back within two. 

Jake Fisher netted DU's first goal with under 10 minutes to play. About two minutes later, the Broncos were sent off for hooking. Rowe and the WMU defense came up big once again, getting back to full strength with under six minutes to play. 

The Pioneers made things interesting, getting a goal with just over three minutes remaining. DU emptied its net with about 2:30 remaining in the game. In the closing seconds, Cole Crusberg-Roseen was able to block a shot and Rowe made a post-to-post save to clinch a 3-2 victory for the Brown and Gold. 

UP NEXT
WMU and DU will conclude the series tomorrow night at Lawson Arena. Puck drop is set for 6 PM.