Michigan hockey falls to Western Michigan, 3-2, for first loss in Kalamazoo since 2003
Matt Gade | Mlive Media Group
By David Drew
Western Michigan University had no answer for Michigan in the first 10 minutes of Friday’s hockey game at Lawson Arena.
The Wolverines came out charging and took a 2-0 lead six minutes into the game, but WMU settled in and battled back to collect a 3-2 win in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association matchup.
It is Western Michigan's first win at Lawson Arena over Michigan since 2003.
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Michigan nearly scored 40 seconds into the game on a 3-on-2 breakaway, but WMU goalie Frank Slubowski was able to stop the chance.
Phil Di Giuseppe did light the lamp 4:10 into the game for the Wolverines. WMU’s Chase Balisy, attempting to dump the puck into U-M’s zone to get a line change, turned the puck over and Di Giuseppe took a good feed on a 2-on-1 rush and scored it.
Alex Guptill gave Michigan a 2-0 lead 5:56 into the opening period when he took a feed from behind WMU’s net and fired in the puck before Slubowski could recover.
Michigan’s size was a clear advantage early in the game, but the Broncos eventually countered with their speed.
Senior Trevor Elias cut the deficit in half for Western Michigan 11:01 into the first when senior defenseman Luke Witkowski stole a Michigan pass in the neutral zone and fed it ahead to Will Kessel who then made a nice pass on the rush to Elias, who found the back of the net.
The Broncos tied the score at two goals apiece with 1:01 left in the first period when defenseman Jordan Oesterle sent in a shot from the blue line that found its way under the stick of Michigan goalie Adam Janecyk.
Michigan had a 12-5 advantage in shots in the first period, but the Broncos outshot the Wolverines 15-8 in the second.
Freshman Colton Hargrove gave the Broncos a 3-2 lead 16:01 into the second period when Justin Kovacs sent in a centering pass to a crashing Hargrove, who stuffed the puck past Janecyk.
WMU's defense stood tall in the third period as Michigan had a handful of chances.
U-M pulled Janecyk to bring on the extra attacker with 1:35 left in the game, but the Wolverines could not convert.
The Broncos and the Wolverines will face off again on Saturday in Kalamazoo.
Comments
Veracity
Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 4:43 a.m.
Woeful! What is the problem? Is it effort or talent or coaching? Possibly it is all of these. Michigan State beat Penn State tonight so they are tied point-wise for last place in the CCHA. By end of day tomorrow Michigan may be entirely alone in the CCHA cellar. No post season for the Wolverines this year, after how many consecutive years of NCAA appearances?
umichjim
Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 2:49 p.m.
The Penn State games are non-conference this year so msu did not gain any points on Michigan last night. Michigan will remain ahead of them this weekend heading into the big battle for last place next week.
MIke48162
Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 1:12 p.m.
Michigan played well in a game against a very good opponent in their building. Michigan showed good energy, and out chanced and out hit them. Michigan continues to have difficulty with moving the puck out of/composure in their end, in part due to WMU relentless forecheck. In the end, the difference in the game could be said to be the the big Slubowski in net. He is a wall. Another good game tonight likely. Michigan needs to continue to play desperate.