Teams play again at U-M on Saturday
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan continued its hot streak by downing Michigan 4-1 on Friday night at Lawson Arena. The win pushed WMU’s record to 9-1-1 overall.
The Broncos got goals from four different players, with Robby Drazner, Tim Washe, Cole Crusberg-Roseen and Cam Knuble lighting the lamp in the win. In net, Cameron Rowe made 26 saves and dished out an assist.
FIRST PERIOD
The Brown and Gold controlled much of the first period, outshooting the Wolverines 13-7. Alex Bump, Owen Michaels and Liam Valente had shots in the opening minute. A little bit later in the period, WMU would get on the board first.
Valente threw a pass out front to Drazner who beat UM goaltender Logan Stein under seven minutes into the first frame. As the game moved by the middle portion of the first 20 minutes, WMU was sent off for interference. The Wolverines would get one shot before getting their own interference penalty.
Michigan would get back to full strength, but Rowe caught the Wolverines on a change. He fired the puck to Washe who beat Stein to put the Broncos in front 2-0 with just over three minutes to play in the opening period.
Western Michigan would carry a two-goal lead into the middle period.
SECOND PERIOD
It didn’t take long for the Broncos to extend their lead, as Crusberg-Roseen put home a rebound about three minutes in to the period. That marked his first career goal.
A little bit after that, WMU went on a 4-on-3 power play. The Broncos got three shots, but the Wolverines were able to get back to full strength. Western Michigan stayed on the attack, getting great shots from Drazner and Crusberg-Roseen in the middle part of the period.
The Broncos’ offensive persistence would pay off, as they added a fourth goal late in the second frame. Ethan Wolthers carried the puck up the right wall, eventually dishing it off to Knuble. He did the rest, beating Stein to make it a 4-0 game with under three minutes to play in the second period.
THIRD PERIOD
After some back-and-forth action in the early portion of the final period, WMU went back on the power play. Grant Slukynsky would get the lone shot on the man advantage, and UM got back to full strength.
WMU’s offense continued to pepper shots at Stein, getting looks from Crusberg-Roseen, Ty Henricks and Washe with under 10 minutes to play. With under five minutes to play, WMU was sent off for holding.
Michigan wouldn’t score on the man advantage, but it did find the back of the net two seconds after the power play expired. Western Michigan would go on to close out a 4-1 victory.
