ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Western Michigan fell to Michigan, 2-1, on Saturday night at Yost Ice Arena. WMU’s record moves to 9-2-1 overall.
Alex Bump lit the lamp for the fourth time this season, with Samuel Sjolund and Ty Henricks earning assists. Zack Sharp had a goal taken off the board in the first period.
FIRST PERIOD
The Broncos blocked a pair of shots before getting a look from Iiro Hakkarainen in the opening two minutes of the game. A little bit later, Sharp found the back of the net, but UM successfully challenged the play for offsides. The score remained 0-0 early in the first period.
UM was sent to the box for roughing just under nine minutes into the first frame. Tristan Lemyre had the best look on net, with Wolverines goaltender Cameron Korpi just getting a pad on the shot. Michigan would eventually return to full strength.
Just over 13 minutes into the opening period, UM took the lead. A few moments later, the Wolverines went on the power play. However, that was quickly nullified by a tripping penalty on Michigan about 25 seconds later.
Both teams would get back to full strength with no damage done. Down the stretch of the period, neither team would find many chances, and UM carried a one-goal lead into the second 20 minutes of play.
SECOND PERIOD
Michigan scored in the early part of the second period to take a 2-0 lead. However, about 20 seconds later, WMU went on the power play. UM was sent off for slashing. The Broncos would get one shot on the man advantage, but the Wolverines would eventually get back to full strength.
As the game reached the middle portion of the second frame, Sharp had a strong look on net that Korpi was able to save. From there, Hampton Slukynsky made a few big saves to keep it a two-goal game.
WMU killed off a penalty with under three minutes to play in the period. However, with three seconds left in the middle 20 minutes, the Broncos were assessed a high sticking penalty. Michigan carried 1:57 of power-play time into the final period.
THIRD PERIOD
Slukynsky had two saves and WMU blocked another shot to get back to full strength. Eventually, WMU would earn its own power play. Western Michigan would get a few shots on Korpi before being called for a tripping penalty.
The two teams played 4-on-4 for 50 seconds, and then UM went on the power play for just over a minute. The Brown and Gold did well to get back to full strength, limiting Michigan to just two shots. Following the PK, WMU found a little bit of offense, getting a strong look from Owen Michaels.
With under eight minutes to play, Michaels skated into the zone and found another shot on net. Korpi was again able to make the save. Not too long after that, Nehring tested Korpri with a shot over the blocker. He was just able to get a piece of the shot.
WMU’s offensive pressure ramped up with under six minutes to play, as Michaels fired a shot that just hit the pad of Korpi. With under three minutes to play, the Broncos pulled the goalie and immediately got on the board. Bump fired a shot over the shoulder of Korpi to pull the Broncos back within one with just over two minutes left.
Over the last two minutes, WMU would control play, but nothing would find the back of the net. The Broncos would fall 2-1.
UP NEXT
WMU returns home for a series with Denver next weekend. Puck drop for Friday’s series opener is set for 7 PM.
