Michigan Tech sweeps Ferris State in CCHA action- Big Ten/CCHA Scores below
OMAHA, Neb. – For the first time as NCHC foes, the Western Michigan hockey team swept a weekend series at Omaha. The Broncos claimed a 4-2 win on Saturday night at Baxter Arena to earn six points in conference play.
Tristan Lemyre, Iiro Hakkarainen, Tim Washe and Alex Bump tallied the goals for WMU, with Washe’s goal being the game winner. In net, Hampton Slukynsky was exceptional, making 31 saves in his first career NCHC win.
FIRST PERIOD
After not scoring in the first period last night, the Broncos made sure to find the back of the net quickly in this one. After a faceoff win from Matteo Costantini, a shot from the point was tipped home by Lemyre just 21 seconds into the game. Lemyre’s goal was his second of the series.
After a Hampton Slukynsky save, Zack Sharp chipped the puck ahead to Washe. He then fired a pass to Hakkarainen, who beat Omaha goaltender Simon Latkoczy for a 2-0 WMU lead not even five minutes into the game. The tally was Hakkarainen’s second of the season.
The Brown and Gold continued to apply offensive pressure and were eventually rewarded, as the Mavericks were sent off just about 11 minutes into the opening frame. The Broncos would get six shots on the man advantage, but Omaha would work its way back to full strength.
With just under six minutes left to play in the first 20 minutes, Omaha received a power play. The Mavericks scored and brought the game back to within one. WMU would carry that one-goal lead into the second period of action.
SECOND PERIOD
WMU kept its offensive energy, getting the first five shots in the middle frame. Bump had a trio of looks in the opening five minutes of the period. Just under 10 minutes into the second 20 minutes, WMU went on another power play, thanks to a cross checking penalty.
Bump had a great look on the man advantage, but Omaha would eventually return to full strength. A few minutes after that, the Mavericks earned a power play. The Bronco defense would limit UNO to one shot and get back to even strength.
In the closing minutes of the second period, Grant Slukynsky had one last chance on net that Latkoczy was able to handle. WMU went into the final period with a one-goal advantage.
THIRD PERIOD
Western Michigan struck early in the third period to help pad the lead. Latkoczy tried to play a puck around the boards but Washe intercepted the attempt. He fired a shot on the net and made it a 3-1 game just over two minutes into the final period.
Following that, WMU continued to apply pressure getting good looks from Costantini and Cole Crusberg-Roseen. Omaha would get a power play with under 10 minutes remaining They scored on the man advantage to bring the game back to within one.
Omaha pulled its goalie with just over two minutes to play in the game. Hampton Slukynsky and the Bronco defense stepped up to keep the Mavericks in check, including an incredible post-to-post save in the closing minutes.
From there, Bump picked the pocket of Zach Urdhal and buried a shot into the empty net to secure a 4-2 win and a road sweep.
UP NEXT
WMU will return home for a series with Colorado College on Nov. 15-16. Puck drop for Friday’s series opener is set for 7 PM at Lawson Arena.