Kalamazoo, Michigan – Thanks to a great game from its seniors, Western Michigan University was able to defeat Miami on Saturday night at Lawson Arena. The Broncos defeated the Red Hawks 6-1.
The Brown and Gold received a total of 12 points from the seniors. Joe Cassetti He led the league with two goals and one assist. chad hillbrand Add two shorthand tallies, carter burger He finished the night with one goal and one assist. On the internet, cameron lowe He had a sensational performance, making 24 saves.
first period
Early in the first frame, WMU was called for boarding. After two saves by Lowe, Hillebrand moved the puck out of the zone and slid a RedHawks defender up the ice. After some great moves up front, he lit the lamp for the opening goal of the match.
A few minutes later, Western Michigan had its first power play. dylan wendt and alex bump There were moments when he found the back of the net, but the score remained 1-0. In the end, Miami would get the power play again thanks to a cross-check call against the Broncos.
Miami couldn't make a shot, but Hillebrand once again played great defense at the blue line and slid down on a breakaway. He lit the lamp with his second short goal of the night, putting WMU up 2-0 with just over eight minutes left in the first 20 minutes.
In the closing stages, WMU would negate one more Miami power play and head to the locker room with a 2-0 advantage.
Second period
After a good game by WMU to start the period, Miami scored the only goal of the game to take a 2-1 lead over the Broncos.
As the game progressed into the middle portion of the second frame, both teams nullified their penalties and WMU went on the offensive from there. Immediately after WMU's power play ended, Berger lit the lamp, giving the Broncos a 3-1 lead.
Just two minutes later, Cassetti put a shot into the net against his former team, extending WMU's advantage to 4-1 with less than nine minutes to play in the center field.
After a few minutes, Zach Galambos He joined the scorers and used a great feed from Cassetti to score the Broncos' fifth goal of the night. Twenty seconds later, Western Michigan scored its sixth and final goal of the night, taking a 6-1 lead. Cassetti scored his second goal of the night.
third period
Miami started the final period with a goaltender change, and the Brown and Gold tested him early. Daniel Hilsenderger And Hillebrand made a strong appearance online in the opening minutes.
Lowe and the WMU defense got a little pressure midway through the period, but the Redhawks were unable to put anything on the scoreboard.
With less than four minutes remaining, WMU was ejected for hooking, giving Miami one last chance to make some noise on offense. The Broncos easily converted the penalty, limiting the Redhawks to just two shots on net.
Western Michigan went on to win 6-1, sweeping rival Miami and eliminating the seniors.
next
Western Michigan is looking forward to seeing who they will face in the opening round of the NCHC playoffs. The opening game is scheduled to begin on Friday, March 15th.
