KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Western Michigan hockey team dropped its series opener to No. 9 Denver, 3-1, on Friday night at Lawson Arena.
Zaccharya Wisdom scored the lone goal of the game for the Brown and Gold, while Cole Crusberg-Roseen and Theo Wallberg picked up assists. Hampton Slukynsky made 26 saves in net.
FIRST PERIOD
After a pair of saves from Slukynsky in the early portion of the frame, the Western Michigan offense went on the attack. Liam Valente and Zack Sharp had shots saved before Wisdom finally snuck one by DU goaltender Quentin Miller for the game’s first goal.
A little bit after that, Denver got the game’s first power play. WMU limited the Pioneers to just a pair of shots and got back to even strength. Shortly after that, the Broncos wen to the man advantage. They got three shots on the power play, but DU returned to full strength.
Down the stretch of the frame, WMU would earn another power play. Bobby Cowan and Valente had looks on net, and the Brown and Gold carried 38 seconds into the second period of play.
SECOND PERIOD
Denver killed off the remaining time, and quickly earned a 5-on-3 advantage. Slukynsky and the Bronco defense did well to limit chances and got back to full strength.
After some back-and-forth action Sharp and Valente nearly added to the lead with great looks out front of the net. Garrett Szydlowski and Ty Henricks fired shots on net late in the period, but nothing would hit twine. WMU carried a one-goal lead into the final period of play.
THIRD PERIOD
Western Michigan killed off a penalty in the early stages of the third period, but Denver was still able to tie the game about seven minutes in. Right after that, the Pioneers would take the lead, 2-1.
The Broncos got a chance on the man advantage late in the third frame, as DU was sent off for tripping. Despite some strong chances, the Pios returned to full strength. WMU pulled its goalie, looking for the equalizer. Denver would put the puck into the empty net and close out a 3-1 win.
UP NEXT
The Broncos will finish their series with Denver on Saturday night at Lawson Arena. The two teams will meet at 6 PM.
