Western Michigan suffered its first nonconference loss of the year in a 4-2 setback to Bemidji State at John S. Glas Fieldhouse. The loss was WMU’s first in six contests against College Hockey America this season.
BSU freshman Jake Bluhm logged his first collegiate goal with 6:57 left in regulation for the game-winner. The Beavers peppered 42 shots on goaltender Daniel Bellissimo, who finished with 39 saves.
Bemidji State (9-7-0) broke a scoreless contest at 15:14 of the second period when Ryan Huddy placed a wrist shot over the shoulder of Bellissimo on the power play. BSU struck again at 18:43 on Luke Erickson’s rebound stuff of a Andrew Murray slapshot that caromed off the crossbar.
The Broncos (9-8-1) were held scoreless by netminder Layne Sedevie until early in the third period, when Mike Erickson tallied his eighth goal of the season, on the power play, with a tap-in of Paul Szczechura’s pass from behind the net. Szczechura set up the equalizer four minutes later on the man advantage when he found Daryl Moore in front of the crease.
“While I wish the outcome was different, but I’m pleased with our effort tonight,” said WMU coach Jim Culhane. “They came at us with a lot of shots and Daniel (Bellissimo) played great to keep us in the game.”
Notes
WMU’s Brent Walton, the nation’s second-leading scorer, was held scoreless for only the fourth time in 18 games … Szczechura, who owns a team-high 18 assists, has recorded helpers in 13 contests … WMU is 2-7-0 on Saturday nights … the Broncos have been outshot, 178-95, over the past four games.
