KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan hockey team improved to 12-4-1 overall with a 4-1 victory over Alaska Anchorage on Friday night at Lawson Arena. 

Liam Valente, Zach Nehring, Grant Slukynsky and Matteo Costantini lit the lamp for the Broncos in the victory. In net, Cameron Rowe made 19 saves. 

FIRST PERIOD
WMU controlled much of the play in the opening few minutes of the period, but UAA would get on the board first. Dylan Contreras found a bouncing puck and fired a shot into the back of the net to make it 1-0 just over five minutes into the game. 

Not too long after that, the Broncos would go on the power play. Alex Bump had a shot blocked out front that went to the stick of Valente. He ripped a shot into the net to tie the game at 1-1 just over seven minutes into the frame. 

Following that Owen Michaels and Samuel Sjolund had great shots on net that were saved. In the back half of the period, Cam Knuble nearly put WMU in front, ringing a shot off the crossbar. Slukynsky had one last look on net in the closing minutes of the first period. The two teams entered the first intermission tied at 1-1. 

SECOND PERIOD
Knuble had a pair of shots saved in the opening minutes of the second frame. A little bit later, Nehring tried his luck on net, but UAA was there to make the stop. Later in the period, WMU went to the power play. 

After having a pair of shots saved, Nehring was able to find a loose puck in front of the net. He tallied his fifth goal of the season to push the Brown and Gold in front 2-1 with about six minutes to play in the middle period.

Neither team would find much offense over the last few minutes of the period, and Western Michigan carried a one-goal lead into the final frame. 

THIRD PERIOD
WMU was given its first penalty of the game early in the third period, but the Seawolves weren't able to do anything on the man advantage. UAA wouldn't get a shot on the power play and the Broncos got back to full strength. 

About 30 seconds after the power play ended, Slukynsky was able to net his fourth goal of the season to make it a 3-1 Western Michigan lead. Assists went to Nehring and Brian Kramer on the tally. The Seawolves were also assessed a penalty after the goal, giving WMU a power play. 

The Brown and Gold had a few good chances, but UAA would work back to full strength. However, moments after that penalty expired, the Seawolves were given a major penalty for direct contact to the head. Again, the Broncos would get a few strong looks, but UAA would return to even strength. 

With time winding down, Alaska Anchorage would pull its goalie looking to get back in the game. Costantini would put an end to those hopes, scoring into the empty net with just over a minute to play. That capped off a 4-1 victory for the Broncos. 

UP NEXT
The Broncos and Seawolves will conclude their series tomorrow night at Lawson Arena. Puck drop is set for 6 PM.