KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan hockey team picked up a 5-2 victory over Miami on Friday night at Lawson Arena. 

Liam Valente, Theo Wallberg, Zach Nehring, Zach Bookman and Sam Huck all lit the lamp in the triumph. Hampton Slukynsky made 20 saves in net to earn the win. 

FIRST PERIOD
WMU went to an early power play, thanks to a kneeing call on the RedHawks. Bookman had the best chance on the man advantage, but Miami eventually worked back to even strength. 

The Broncos continued to pressure, getting great shots from Nehring and Valente. Western Michigan would eventually go back to the power play, as Miami was sent off for hooking. MU limited the chances and got back to even strength. 

A little bit after the man advantage expired, the RedHawks jumped on the board to take a 1-0 lead. Down the stretch, the Brown and Gold would kill off two Miami power plays. To end the period, MU was given a slashing penalty. The Broncos carried 1:38 of power-play time into the second frame. 

SECOND PERIOD
Despite multiple chances on net, Miami was able to get back to full strength. Moments after that, WMU was given a major penalty, sending the RedHawks to the man advantage for five minutes. 

The Broncos did well defensively, allowing just two shots on net. They eventually worked back to full strength and found an opportunity on the man advantage just a few moments later. This time, Valente would cash in, rifling a shot into the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1. 

Just over a minute later, Wallberg found some open space in the left circle, and he found twine for his first goal as a Bronco. That pushed the Brown and Gold in front 2-1. WMU wasn't done there, as Nehring scored right after that to make it 3-1 in favor of the home team. 

Western Michigan killed off a penalty late in the period and carried a two-goal lead into the final 20 minutes of play. 

THIRD PERIOD
After killing off an early penalty, the Brown and Gold got another chance on the power play. Bookman ripped a shot from the point that made its way through traffic and into the net for a 4-1 WMU lead. The goal was his second of the season. 

The offensive barrage didn't stop there, as WMU broke out into the attacking zone looking to add another goal. The puck found Huck's stick, and he ripped a shot into the top corner of the net to make it 5-1 with just over 12 minutes to play in the game. 

Miami would score to make it 5-2 with a little over half of the period left to play. But Western Michigan would go right back to the power play just a few minutes later. Valente and Iiro Hakkarainen had great chances, but the RedHawks pushed back to even strength. 

Down the stretch, Garrett Szydlowski and Zaccharya Wisdom had strong looks on net. However, Miami's defense would clear the puck away from trouble, and the Broncos went on to close out a 5-2 win. 

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