The Western Michgian Broncos came out flying in the first period taking a three-goal lead only to lose to the Bulldogs of Ferris State, 5 – 3.
“I was really pleased about (our start),” said Broncos Head Coach Jim Culhane. “We talked about it this morning and before the game, the importance of the first goal and getting some momentum in the hockey game.”
The scoring started when Patrick Galivan lit the lamp for the first time in his career. He took a pass from Brian Bicek and sent the puck between the post and Mitch O’Keefe’s pad to give the Broncos
the early lead 2:08 into the game.
The Broncos scored just six minutes later when Jason Moul buried a gift of a chance into a wide-open net, giving Western Michigan a commanding 2-0 lead. Jeff Lovecchio and Brent Walton assisted on the goal.
Lovecchio added another point to the scoresheet when he scored the Broncos’ third goal of the first period. He was standing just outside the crease and deflected Brent Walton’s shot over O’ Keefe’s glove and into the net, sending Western Michigan into the locker room with a 3-0 lead.
“We didn’t have a whole lot jump and i think we overhandled the puck and more than anything I don’t think our defensemen played well,” said Ferris State Head Coach Bob Daniels.
It took Ferris State 7:48 before they found the back of the net in the second period. Dan Riedel scored his second of the season on the power play with the assist going to Greg Rallo. Riedel took the point shot and beat Broncos netminder Daniel Bellissimo high to the glove side.
Under five minutes later with the Bulldogs on the power play, Zac Pearson brought Ferris state closer when he found himself in the right place at the right time. Pearson fielded a deflection off of the backboard and slid the puck past Bellissimo. Dan Riedel and Greg Rallo got the assists.
Ferris State scored its third power-play goal on the night when Rallo recieved a pass from Matt Verdone and beat Bellissimo high to the glove side, tying the score, 3-3.
“The difference ends up being the second period,” said Culhane. “Eight or nine minor penatlies for us, one for them, so we played basically the whole second period shorthanded. They scored two four-on-threes and a five-on-three.”
The Bulldogs took the lead 6:04 into the third period when Eric Vesely beat a sprawled Bellissimo after a scramble in front of the net. Ferris State never looked back.
Ferris State added an insurance goal 8:07 into the third when Mark Bomersback beat Bellissimo through the five hole. Riedel got his fourth point of the night with an assist on the goal.
Late in the third Bellissimo cramped up and the Broncos had to look to freshman netminder Ryan Mensing to keep the score close.
The Bulldogs finished with 30 shots on net and were 3-for-9 on the power play, which included a streak of eight consecutive chances with the man-advantage. The Broncos finished with 22 shots and were 0-for-6 on the power play.
Western Michigan (2-6-0, 2-4-0 CCHA) is in action next weekend with another home-and-home series against Michigan State, while Ferris State (4-2-4, 3-1-4) plays two games at home aginst Bemidji State.
