WMU beats, ties St. Lawrence

By Karl Henkel/Western Michigan Beat Writer

Last season, Western Michigan finished last in the CCHA.

If its start to the 2010-11 season is any indication, the Broncos may find themselves much higher in the standings.

WMU, playing on the road for a consecutive weekend, extended its unbeaten streak to five with a 3-1 victory and a 3-3 tie against St. Lawrence.

In the opener, all the pertinent scoring happened in the first 20 minutes. Matt Tennyson and Derek Roehl scored goals in the first 5:33 and Western Michigan jumped out to a 2-1 lead after one period.

Ian Slater’s empty-netter sealed the victory. Reigning CCHA Goalie of the Week Nick Pisellini made 27 saves.

In the second game, the Broncos couldn’t overcome a second-period barrage by St. Lawrence.

After Max Campbell gave WMU a 1-0 lead in the first, STL’s Greg Carey scored three second-period goals as St. Lawrence went ahead 3-2.

Greg Squires tied the game midway through the third period.

Pisellini stopped 22 shots; St. Lawrence netminder Matt Weninger made 26.

Western Michigan (4-1-1) is set to play a home-and-home with Notre Dame (4-1-0, 2-0-0-0 CCHA). Friday’s game — in South Bend, Ind. — starts at 7:35 p.m. Saturday’s game is in Kalamazoo and starts at 7:35 p.m. WMU went 2-0 against Notre Dame last season.