Monday, November 08, 2004

Broncos Stampede Eagles

The Western Michigan Broncos (4-4-0, 2-4-0 CCHA) jumped back to the .500 mark as they swept the Niagara Purple Eagles in a pair of non-conference games at the Lawson Arena in Kalamazoo.

Defenseman Ryan Mahrle was the hero in Friday’s series opener as he scored with 22-seconds left in the game to give the Broncos a 4-3 victory.

Brent Walton picked up a goal and two assists and Daniel Bellissimo stopped 26 of 29 shots.

Ryan Gale paced the Eagles with a pair of goals.

Bellissimo’s superior goaltending was the key on Saturday as the Broncos rolled to a 4-1 win.

The freshman goaltender from Toronto stopped 42 of 43 shots and helped hold the Purps to a 0-7 power-play effort.

Brian Bicek scored a pair of goals, including a short-handed game at 6:39 of the second, to give the Broncos their third win in four games.

The physical nature of the game displayed a rarity in college hockey as Western's Vince Bellissimo and Niagara's Jason Williamson squared-off at 3:20 of the third period with the decision going to Williamson. Both were ejected and suspensions are sure to follow.

The Broncos will try to keep the winning streak going as they host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-5-3, 0-4-2 CCHA) in a pair of CCHA conference game back in Kalamazoo on Friday and Saturday evening.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

This game also had a fight between Vince Bellissimo and Niagara's Jason Williamson. Both were ejected and will face suspensions, obviously.