Crew, Gill lead WMU past Mercyhurst

By Karl Henkel/Western Michigan Beat Writer

Western Michigan could not have started the season any better.

Backed by CCHA Offensive Player of the Week J.J. Crew, the Broncos swept Mercyhurst in a weekend series.

WMU won the opener, 5-1, thanks in part to a hat trick from Crew. It was the first Western Michigan three-goal performance since 2006.

Riley Gill registered 24 saves in net for the win.

The second game was a little tighter, but again it was Crew, who came up with the game-winning goal midway through the third, who stepped up. It also capped off a two-goal comeback as Mercyhurst (0-4-0) led 2-0 in the second period.

Gill stopped 28 shots in net.

Western Michigan (2-0-0) faces Alabama-Huntsville (3-1-0) in a two-game series in Alabama Oct. 23 and 24 in its final tune-up before the CCHA slate opens.