Broncos top BGSU in shootout and in regulation

By Bob Miller/Western Michigan Beat Writer

Western Michigan continued piling up points in the CCHA standings this past weekend, squeezing out a shootout win after tying 3-3 in regulation against Bowling Green on Friday night and then blitzing the Falcons in the return match on Saturday night, 6-1.

At Bowling Green on Friday, Kyle O'Kane was the only player to score in the shootout to give the Broncos extra point in the standings. Brett Beebe, J.J. Crew and Trevor Elias all had single goals during regulation for Western Michigan. Bowling Green's late comeback, scoring a pair in the last 3:18 of the third period, necessitated the overtime and subsequent shootout.

When the action returned to Lawson Ice Arena in Kalamazoo Saturday night, Dane Walters stole the show for the Broncos, notching his first career hat trick including a pair of the third period scores that put the game out of reach. Walters added an assist in the effort and Elias, Justin Kovacs and Danny Dekeyser each added a goal to the Bronco totals.

The pair of wins maintained Western Michigan's position near the top of the CCHA standings with the Broncos tied for second with Notre Dame at 27 points, four clear of Lake Superior State's fourth place total.