KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan improved to 22-5-1 overall and 15-2-1 in NCHC play thanks to a 6-1 victory over No. 20 Omaha on Saturday night at Lawson Arena. 

The Broncos got goals from Zach Nehring, Garrett Szydlowski, Alex Bump, Robby Drazner, Cole Crusberg-Roseen and Zack Sharp in the game. Hampton Slukynsky made 16 saves to earn his seventh win of the season. 

FIRST PERIOD
Neither team could get much going offensively in the early part of the first period. However, Omaha would get the game's first power play. On the man advantage, the Broncos saved two shots and blocked another to get back to even strength. 

After a WMU power play didn't result in a goal, the Brown and Gold continued to work hard on the offensive end. Eventually, Western Michigan was rewarded for its efforts. Nehring ripped a shot top shelf to make it 1-0 with under six minutes to play in the opening period. 

Not even a minute later, Szydlowski found a gritty goal to make it a 2-0 WMU lead. He had an initial shot saved and kept jamming at the puck until it found the back of the net. WMU would pick up a penalty late in the period, giving Omaha 1:45 of power play time to start the second 20 minutes. 

SECOND PERIOD
Omaha wouldn't get a shot on the man advantage, and the Broncos worked back to full strength. A little bit after that goal, Sharp pushed a puck on the boards to Bump. That set up an odd-man rush, and Bump ripped a shot into the back of the net to make it 3-0 in favor of the home team. 

A little over a minute later, the Brown and Gold worked the puck around until it hit the stick of Drazner. He lit the lamp for his fourth goal of the season, giving the Broncos a 4-0 lead just over seven minutes into the second frame. 

Omaha would go on to change goalies following that score. WMU committed another penalty but had no issues getting back to full strength once again. Omaha would eventually get a goal back, making the score 4-1 with under three minutes to play in the period. 

However, as it did all series long, Western Michigan had a response. Crusberg-Roseen found a loose puck out front of the net and buried a shot to restore the four-goal advantage. WMU carried that lead into the final period of play. 

THIRD PERIOD
Western Michigan was sent off for tripping early in the third frame. The Broncos blocked two shots and saved another to work back to full strength. A little bit after that, WMU's offense went back to work. The puck worked around the zone and eventually went to Sharp. He rifled a shot into the back of the net for his second career goal. That made the score 6-1 Broncos. 

WMU would commit another penalty following that tally. Just as it did all night, Western Michigan got back to full strength with relative ease. Both teams would get some quality looks down the stretch, but nothing would find the back of the net. 

The Brown and Gold would get one more chance on the power play with under two minutes to play. The Broncos would go on to close out a 6-1 victory on senior night. 

UP NEXT
Western Michigan will hit the road for a pivotal series against Arizona State. Puck drop for Friday's series opener is set for 9 PM EST.