KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan improved to 19-5-1 overall and 12-2-1 in NCHC play thanks to a 4-0 victory over St. Cloud State on Friday night at Lawson Arena.
Tristan Lemyre tallied his first career hat trick, while Zach Nehring added another goal in the win. Cameron Rowe collected his eighth career shutout, making 24 saves.
FIRST PERIOD
It didn’t take long for the Broncos to establish themselves as the better team, as WMU scored on its first shot of the game. Lemyre got a great pass from Grant Slukynsky, and he was able to bury the chance to push the Brown and Gold in front 1-0 not even two minutes into the game.
WMU kept its foot on the gas, getting six shots on net over the next three minutes of play. SCSU settled things down as the game moved to the back part of the first period. However, Slukynsky fired a shot on Huskies netminder Gavin Enright. He made the initial save, but Lemyre was there for the rebound to make it a 2-0 game.
The Broncos got a pair of strong looks down the stretch, but nothing would find the back of the net. WMU carried a two-goal lead into the second 20 minutes of play.
SECOND PERIOD
Both goalies made saves in the opening minute of the period to keep it a 2-0 WMU lead. As the period progressed, Samuel Sjolund and Owen Michaels had looks saved by Enright.
In the back half of the frame, Michaels, Kramer and Alex Bump tested their luck on Enright. He was up to the challenge, saving all three shots. Down the stretch, Bump and Lemyre would try to add to WMU’s lead. However, Enright made a pair of saves to keep it a 2-0 game going to the final period.
THIRD PERIOD
SCSU came out on the attack in the third frame, getting the first three shots of the period. Rowe made three saves to keep the Broncos in front by two goals. Midway through the period, Zack Sharp and Nehring both had chances to increase the lead. However, Enright was again there to make a pair of saves.
With under five minutes to play, the Broncos broke out on an odd-man rush and found a third goal. Nehring tapped in a pass from Liam Valente to make it a 3-0 game. After that goal, the Huskies pulled their goalie to try and work back into the game.
SCSU would get two shots on Rowe before the Brown and Gold put the nail in the coffin. Lemyre shot the puck into the empty net to earn his hat trick and cap off a 4-0 win for the Broncos.
UP NEXT
Western Michigan will look to close out a sweep of St. Cloud State tomorrow night at Lawson Arena. Puck drop is set for 6 PM EST.
