Western earns only one point in Colgate series

The Western Michigan Broncos traveled to Colgate last weekend for some non-conference action against a team ranked #15. The Broncos held the Big Red to a 2-2 tie on Friday, but were edged for a 4-3 loss on Saturday.

On Friday, Colgate scored a power-play goal early in the first period. Bronco goalie Daniel Bellissimo remained steadfast; he turned away a combined 17 shots in the first two periods, and gave Brent Walton (pictured above) an opportunity to tie the game off assists from Brian Bicek and Daryl Moore.

Paul Szczechura scored early in the third to give the Broncos a lead, but midway through the period, Colgate--which peppered Bellissimo with 14 shots in the third period--scored to even the game. Neither team scored in overtime.

Bellissimo finished with 31 saves.

Coach Jim Culhane was satisfied with the Broncos' performance: "This is the second straight game where we have played well on the road. We tied MSU last week and I was pleased with our effort tonight. I thought we played with discipline, taking only five minor penalties in a tough environment on the road.

The Broncos also held the Big Red to a close contest on Saturday. Action was back-and-forth for much of the night: Szczechura, with help from Walton and Mike Erickson lit the lamp first on a power play effort late in the first stanza, but Colgate quickly retaliated at the start of the second period.

Walton regained the lead with an unassisted shorthanded goal, but Colgate evened the game again on a power-play tally.

Sean Weaver again put the Broncos up to start the third period (Moore and Szczechura earned assists), but with less than four minutes remaining in regulation, Colgate scored to send the contest to overtime, where they scored in twenty seconds.

Bellissimo had 28 saves in Saturday's game.

Western faces Notre Dame in a home-and-home series this weekend.