Western Michigan splits with Bowling Green

The Western Michigan Broncos earned a 5-4 win over Bowling Green on the road on Friday night, but could not repeat the performance in Kalamazoo on Saturday, losing the series' final game, 5-2.

Brent Walton (pictured) was the heart of Friday's victory, scoring four of the five Bronco goals. He lit the lamp the first time less than a minute into the game. Ryan Mahrle was credited with the assist. Bowling Green then scored three goals to leave Western in the hole midway through the second period. However, Walton scored twice more to even the score going into the second intermission. Paul Szczechura assisted on Walton's second goal and Dave Krisky picked up the assist on the third goal.

Szczechura gave the lead back to the Broncos with a power-play goal at 5:53 of the final period. Nathan Ansell and Jeff LoVecchio earned assists on the play. Bowling Green retaliated with a power-play goal of its own, making Walton's fourth tally, an even-strength, unassisted marker at 13:02, all the more impressive. His goal stood as the last of the game and Western held on for the win.

Western goalie Eric Martin finished with 28 saves (starter Daniel Bellissimo is out with a groin injury).

"It was a tremendous effort from everyone," said WMU head coach Jim Culhane. "Brent got into the grove early and we tried to find as much ice time as possible for him The puck had eyes for Brent tonight."

The Broncos returned home for the first time in eight games on Saturday, but could not retaliate from an offensive onslaught from Bowling Green.

The Broncos started off right. Back in net, Bellissimo staved off eight Bowling Green shots in the first period and Mike Erickson used a Bowling Green power play to his own advantage, scoring a shorthanded goal at 4:00 of the second period. Mike Lesperance, who assisted on Erickson's goal, scored himself to put the Broncos up 2-0. Brian Bicek assisted on Lesperance's goal.

But the Broncos had only 20 seconds to celebrate their lead before Bowling Green began their forceful comeback, scoring three times in the second period and twice in the third.

Bellissimo finished with 29 saves.

The Broncos will face Miami on the road this weekend.