KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan dominated Colorado College on Friday night at Lawson Arena, earning a 5-2 victory over the Tigers. The win pushed WMU's record to 25-9-1 overall. 

Grant Slukynsky lit the lamp twice, while Garrett Szydlowski, William Whitelaw and Cole Spicer each found the back of the net once. Hampton Slukynsky was spectacular once again, making 26 saves. 

FIRST PERIOD
The Broncos carried play throughout the first 20 minutes, outshooting the Tigers 21-5. Whitelaw and Owen Michaels had great shots saved in the opening minute to set the tone. From there, WMU's offensive persistence would lead to the game's first power play. 

On the man advantage, the onslaught didn't stop. The Brown and Gold got six shots on the power play. Kaidan Mbereko saved them all and helped CC work back to even strength. In the back half of the period, Western Michigan would earn another trip to the power play. The Tigers were sent off for boarding. 

This time, Slukynsky made them pay, rifling a shot top shelf to push the home team in front 1-0. The goal was his ninth of the season and elevated him to 38 points. Not too long after that, the Brown and Gold found an odd-man rush. Tyler MacKenzie made a beautiful pass over to Szydlowski who tapped home another Bronco goal. His tally pushed the Broncos in front 2-0 going to the second frame. 

SECOND PERIOD
Despite being dominated for much of the opening period, CC was able to regroup and tie the game at 2-2 early in the middle frame. However, the Brown and Gold took control back from there. Samuel Sjolund and MacKenzie had shots barely saved in the middle portion of the period. 

The Tigers would then get a power play with a little under eight minutes to go. Though they would get a couple chances, Slukynsky and the Broncos were able to get back to 5-on-5 hockey. 

Down the stretch of the period, Ty Henricks threw a beautiful pass to Whitelaw streaking down the middle of the ice. He beat all the CC defenders to the net and made a fantastic move to beat Mbereko for a 3-2 lead. 

MacKenzie and Michaels had shots saved in the closing minutes, and Western Michigan carried a one-goal lead into the third frame. 

THIRD PERIOD
Three penalties were given under a minute into the final period, with CC earning two and WMU getting one. That sent the Brown and Gold to the power play. The Broncos didn't waste the opportunity, as Spicer sent a deflected puck into the back of the net for a 4-2 lead. 

WMU kept controlling play, as Bobby Cowan had a great look saved in the middle portion of the period. Eventually, the Tigers would pull the goalie to try and get back in the game. Slukynsky blocked a shot and took the puck the distance for his second goal of the night. That made it 5-2 in favor of Western Michigan. 

CC pulled its goalie one more time, and the Brown and Gold fired pucks down the ice. However, nothing would get added to the scoreboard, and the Broncos closed out a 5-2 victory to open the series. 

UP NEXT
The two teams will meet again tomorrow night at Lawson Arena at 6 PM. A Western Michigan win would push the team to the Frozen Faceoff Semifinals.