Broncos Claim League's Top Spot
January 25, 2013 09:03 PM
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – Western Michigan defeated Michigan to take sole possession of first place and Alaska extended its win streak after beating Northern Michigan. Miami beat Bowling Green to give RedHawks’ head coach Enrico Blasi his 300th career win. Also, Ohio State and Ferris State collected conference wins, while Michigan State topped Penn State in non-conference play.
Kalamazoo, Mich. – Western Michigan scored three straight goals to complete the comeback and defeat Michigan, 3-2. Michigan jumped out to an early two-goal lead, as sophomore forwards Phil Di Giuseppe and Alex Guptill both notched goals. Western Michigan answered with two first-period tallies from senior forward Trevor Elias and sophomore defenseman Jordan Oesterle and the go-ahead goal from freshman forward Colton Hargrove. Western Michigan would hold on for the win as sophomore goaltender Frank Slubowski made 28 saves. At the other end of the ice, Michigan junior goaltender Adam Janecyk blocked 23 shots.
Oxford, Ohio – Miami sophomore forward Cody Murphy potted a pair of power-play goals to power the RedHawks to a 2-1 win over Bowling Green. With the win, Miami head coach Enrico Blasi earned his 300th career victory (300-190-53) and becomes the first Miami hockey coach to reach the milestone. The lone goal for the Falcons came off the stick of freshman forward Mark Cooper. Freshman goaltender Jay Williams picked up his 10th win of the season for Miami with a 21-save performance. Senior goaltender Andrew Hammond turned aside 24 shots for Bowling Green.
Columbus, Ohio – Ohio State snapped a three-game skid by defeating Lake Superior, 3-2. Junior defenseman Curtis Gedig scored a power-play goal for Ohio State, as freshman forward Riley Simpson and sophomore forward Tanner Fritz each added a goal of their own. Lake Superior’s goals came from sophomore forward Chris Ciotti and senior forward Ben Power. Senior goaltender Brady Hjelle stopped 34-of-36 shots, while Lake Superior junior goaltenders Kevin Murdock and Kevin Kapalka combined to make 40 saves.
South Bend, Ind. – Senior forward Kyle Bonis scored a power-play goal and an empty-net tally to lead Ferris State over Notre Dame, 3-1. Sophomore forward Dom Panetta also scored for the Bulldogs, notching the game-winning goal. Junior forward Anders Lee scored Notre Dame’s only goal. Senior goaltender CJ Motte made 32 saves for Ferris State in the win, while Notre Dame junior goaltender Steven Summerhays stopped 22 shots.
Fairbanks, Alaska – Junior forward Cody Kunyk had a 1-1-2 scoring line to lead Alaska to a 2-1 victory over Northern Michigan and extend its win streak to five games. Junior forward Colton Beck added a short-handed goal for the Nanooks that proved to be the game-winning tally. Senior forward Matt Thurber scored the only goal for Northern Michigan. Freshman goaltender John Keeney made 24 saves in the win for Alaska, while Wildcats’ junior goaltender Jared Coreau turned aside 36 shots.
East Lansing, Mich. – Sophomore forward Tanner Sorenson led Michigan State with a pair of goals, including the game-winner on the power play, as the Spartans topped Penn State, 5-3. Michigan State senior forward Kevin Walrod notched a 1-1-2 scoring line and freshman forward Michael Ferrantino and junior forward Greg Wolfe also found the back of the net. Junior goaltender Will Yanakeff made 27 saves in the win for Michigan State.