Box Score OXFORD, Ohio – Western Michigan improved to 20-8-0 overall and 12-6-0 in NCHC play with a 3-1 victory over Miami on Saturday night at Goggin Ice Center.
Bobby Cowan,
Cole Spicer and
Liam Valente were the goal scorers, while
Alex Calbeck notched two assists in the triumph.
Hampton Slukynsky was sensational in net, stopping 28 shots.
FIRST PERIOD
The Broncos asserted themselves early, getting a goal from Cowan in the opening two minutes of the game to take a 1-0 lead. The goal was Cowan's fifth of the season and Calbeck notched his first career assist. Not even a minute later,
Ty Henricks lit the lamp to make it 2-0. However, Miami challenged for goaltender interference and had the goal taken off the board.
The Brown and Gold were sent off for goaltender interference about eight minutes into the opening frame. The RedHawks had no success on the man advantage, and WMU easily worked back to even strength.
Not too long after that, Western Michigan got its own power play. Despite a couple chances, Miami would get back to 5-on-5 hockey.
Zaccharya Wisdom scored later in the period, but the goal was once again taken off the board due to a review. This one sent WMU to the box for five minutes.
The RedHawks continued to struggle on the man advantage, as
Iiro Hakkarainen generated a pair of shorthanded chances. Slukynsky would clamp down in net, and the Broncos killed the major and took a one-goal lead into the second period.
SECOND PERIOD
WMU killed off another penalty in the early portion of the second 20 minutes, limiting Miami to just two shots. Following that, Western Michigan earned an opportunity on the man advantage.
With that chance, Valente nearly added to the lead. But Miami would end the threat and get back to full strength. But the Broncos would keep going, getting a goal from Spicer a little under nine minutes into the period. That made the score 2-0 in favor of the visitors.
With time winding down in the middle frame, WMU would get another chance on the power play. However, Miami would get back within one, using an odd-man rush to score. The Brown and Gold carried 1:07 of power-play time into the final period.
THIRD PERIOD
Miami was able to kill off the remaining time, but the RedHawks went right back to the box. The Brown and Gold had a flurry of shots out front, but MU was able to keep the puck out of the net and got back to 5-on-5 hockey.
A little over midway through the final frame, Miami would head to a power play. Slukynsky and the defense did well to limit the chances and block shots to get back to even strength with under eight minutes to play.
Down the stretch, the RedHawks would pull their goalie. But Western Michigan was too much to handle, as Valente hit the open net to close out the game. The Broncos earned their 20th win of the season.
UP NEXT
Western Michigan returns home to face Arizona State on Feb. 13-14 at Lawson Arena. Puck drop for Friday's series opener is set for 7 PM.
