WMU News

Broncos drop playoff opener at Michigan, 4-2

March 10, 2000

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In Friday night's opening game of their CCHA playoff series, the WMU hockey Broncos lost, 4-2, at Michigan. The best-of-three match series continues Saturday night (March 11) at Yost Ice Arena, with faceoff at 7:05 p.m.

Saturday's contest will be carried live on FOX Sports Net. All Bronco hockey games can be heard on the Bronco Radio Network (Flagship station WFAT 96.5 FM Kalamazoo) and via broadcast.com. on the Bronco Web site <www.wmubroncos.com>

In Friday's loss, the Broncos trailed 3-0 after two periods, but trimmed the Michigan lead to 3-2 on goals by Steve Rymsha (his 13th of the season) and Mike Bishai (17th). It wasn't until late in the third period that the Wolverines put the game out of reach with their fourth goal. Western Michigan's sophomore goaltender Jeff Reynaert made 25 saves on the evening.

Michigan out-shot the Broncos 29-19. WMU has not out-shot an opponent since Jan. 7, a span of 18 matches.

Friday's contest was played in front of 6,388 fans at Michigan's Yost Ice Arena. WMU is now 12-20-3 for the season. Michigan improved to 25-8-4 overall.

Western Michigan entered the CCHA Tournament as the 10th seed after tying for ninth place in the league standings. Miami edged out WMU for the ninth seed on a tie-breaker. Michigan is the top seed based on its CCHA regular season championship, which automatically qualifies the Wolverines for the NCAA Tournament. Should the Broncos win this weekend, they would take part in a "play in" game on Tuesday, March 14, with the winner advancing to Joe Louis Arena.

The Broncos are 2-4 lifetime against Michigan in postseason play. The previous postseason appearance at Yost took place in 1990. Michigan won that series, 2-0.

The Wolverines are unbeaten in their last 11 games (8-0-3) versus WMU, dating to December,
1995. WMU's last victory in Yost occurred Oct. 25, 1995. Michigan leads the all-time series, 42-22-9, which includes a 24-9-2 mark in Yost Arena.

Media contact: Daniel Jankowski, 616 387-4122; daniel.jankowski@wmich.edu


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