KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan clinched home ice for the NCHC Quarterfinals, thanks to a 7-2 victory over Arizona State on Saturday night at Lawson Arena. The win pushed WMU to 22-8-0 overall and 14-6-0 in NCHC play. 

WMU had goals from seven different players in the game, as Samuel Sjolund, Owen Michaels, Zaccharya Wisdom, Grant Slukynsky, Iiro Hakkarainen, William Whitelaw and Zack Sharp all found twine. Hampton Slukynsky continued his hot stretch, making 26 saves in net. 

FIRST PERIOD
Despite a flurry of chances from the Broncos in the opening minutes, it would be ASU that would score first in the game. Following the goal, Arizona State then earned the game's first power play. 

The man advantage didn't last long, as the Sun Devils were sent off for interference. During 4-on-4 hockey, Sjolund ripped a shot by Samuel Urban to knot the game at 1-1 just under eight minutes into the opening frame. 

Both teams eventually got back to full strength, and Western Michigan went back on the attack. A little over 13 minutes into the period, Ryan Humphrey was tripped up and gave the Brown and Gold a chance on the power play. The Broncos wouldn't score on the man advantage, but Michaels did hit twine a few seconds after to push WMU in front 2-1. 

Down the stretch of the period, the Sun Devils would find the equalizer and sent the game to the second period tied at 2-2. 

SECOND PERIOD
WMU was sent off for high sticking early in the second frame, but ASU would get nothing on the chance, and the game returned to 5-on-5. A few minutes later, Arizona State would be given a slashing the goaltender penalty. The Brown and Gold would not cash in on that chance, but the Sun Devils went right back to the box seconds later. 

This time, Wisdom was able to make ASU pay, giving Western Michigan a 3-2 lead. Not too long after that, Arizona State was sent to the box again. The Broncos had two great looks, but the Sun Devils worked back to 5-on-5. 

A little bit later, Liam Valente sent a beautiful tape-to-tape pass to Slukynsky who lit the lamp for a 4-2 lead in favor of the home team. After WMU killed off a 5-on-3, the Sun Devils were given a major and a game misconduct. That gave Western Michigan five minutes on the power play. 

The Broncos didn't waste the chance, as Hakkarainen wristed a shot by the goaltender with one second remaining in the frame to make it 5-2. WMU took a three-goal lead into the final period. 

THIRD PERIOD
Western Michigan's offense didn't slow down, as Whitelaw blasted home a one-timer from the circle to make it 6-2 Broncos. With time still left on the major penalty, ASU changed its goalie to try and stop the bleeding. 

That didn't work, as Sharp fired a shot into the back of the net on the power play to bring the score to 7-2 in favor of the home team. Arizona State finally got its skater back, but the Brown and Gold kept firing pucks on net. 

In the middle portion of the frame, Bobby Cowan had a chance to make it 8-2, but the netminder was able to make the save. Western Michigan was given a slashing penalty with just over five minutes left to play. As they did all night, the Broncos killed off the chance and got back to 5-on-5. 

WMU continued to threaten down to the final buzzer, but nothing would get added to the scoreboard. ASU was assessed two penalties after the final buzzer sounded, and Western Michigan capped off a 7-2 victory. 

UP NEXT
The Broncos will head to Colorado College for a series on Feb. 20-21. Puck drop for Friday's series opener is set for 9 PM ET at Ed Robson Arena.