Crew’s shootout goal gives Broncos victory over LSSU

By Kristen Vermetten
Western Herald

(Chyn Wey Lee/Western Herald) WMU sophomore right win Ian Slater scored his first goal of the season in the Broncos' win over Lake Superior State Friday night.

The Western Michigan University hockey team started with high energy Friday night taking on Lake Superior State University in its first game for the weekend.

The Broncos (4-2-1, 0-2-1-1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association)  set the pace with tight lines and fast skating from the first face off. Although shots on goals were slim, WMU had the accuracy and good fortune to come out strong.

“I think it was a really competitive game from start to finish,” WMU head coach Jim Culhane said. “We were able to capitalize on some scoring opportunities and we had a little puck luck in our favor.”

Senior forward Jared Katz had the first goal timing in at 6:31 in the first period with the assist from junior defenseman Mike Levendusky and freshman forward Trevor Elias, who scored his seventh point in seven games.  The Lakers (4-4-1, 1-3-1-0 CCHA) were still on its heels when junior center Max Campbell succeeded in the net, the assist from sophomore right wing Greg Squires at 7:15. After sophomore forward Ian Slater’s break away goal at 10:22, LSSU benched its goalie junior Brian Mahoney-Wilson, replaced by senior Pat Inglis.

“I remember just getting a pass, maybe just a puck in open ice from Leve [Mike Levendusky],” Slater said on his first goal of the season. “I think a couple of guys should get credit on that one.”

The Lakers stepped up in the second period as Mahoney-Wilson reclaimed the net and LSSU’s freshman forward Chad Nehring scored at 6:10 into second period with an assist from sophomore center Fred Cassiani. The remainder of the period dragged until the Bronco fans welcomed LSSU sophomore forward Zac MacVoy to the penalty box at 19:15, for high sticking.

“Our guys battled hard, fought back all night,” LSSU head coach Jim Roque said. “I told the guys after the first until we do all the things we’re supposed to do the right way, we’ll get good things happening.”

MacVoy redeemed himself with a quick, unassisted score at 1:54 in the third, the Lakers put on the heat and the Broncos started to sweat. LSSU’s freshman forward Will Acton was penalized for elbowing at 16:50 in the final period.

The action reenergized Lawson Arena as skates found last minute speed and fans pumped their final echoing cheers. LSSU’ pulled its goalie at 19:12 putting pressure on the home net. At 19:53 a surprise goal off of Laker Cassiani’s shoulder, Nehring and freshman forward Rick Schofield with the assist.

“It was a bad bounce,” WMU junior goalie Jerry Kuhn said on the goal. “Their guy shot the puck and hit off their guy’s skate and redirected and hit right inside my pad.”

The five minutes of overtime induced hair pulling and nail biting as pressure from the ice engulfed Lawson. A double penalty put WMU’s sophomore forward Derek Roehl away for roughing after the whistle and LSSU’s MacVoy for grasping the face mask. A lack of successful shots pulled the game into a sudden death shootout. The Lakers were blocked in all three attempts by Kuhn. Campbell and Squires brought out their tricks for the Brown and Gold, but J.J. Crew was the hero of the night, sinking the puck and finishing the game.

“It just depends on what I’ve used in the past,” Crew said about what he does in a shootout. “I kind of stick with what’s working and go with it. Tonight I went with what worked in practice and it worked again.”

The Lakers and Broncos will play again Saturday night at 7:30. Lawson Arena will be supporting more than hockey that night as WMU pays its respect to our soldiers for Military Appreciation Night.

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Posted by heraldstaff on Nov 6 2009. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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