WMU News

Hockey team travels to Ohio State for two matches

Oct. 13, 1999

KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University's hockey Broncos (0-1-1 overall, 0-1-1 CCHA) continue their tour of Ohio schools in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association with a two-game series at Ohio State this weekend (Oct. 15-16) at the Value City Arena (17,500) in Columbus. Both contests begin at 7:05 p.m.

Friday's game can be heard live on the Bronco Radio Network and on the WMU web site <www.wmich.edu/athletics> via broadcast.com.

In the season opening matches with Miami (Oct. 8-9), the Broncos tied, 3-3, and lost, 3-2, at WMU's Lawson Ice Arena.

Call it a full-court press or a run-and-shoot offense, Jim Culhane's offensive system proved effective in the series opener against Miami. The Broncos generated 45 shots on Miami netminder Ian Olsen, who recorded a career-high 42 saves. "I want us to forecheck like a full-court press and to create turnovers by pursuing the puck," Culhane said in preseason. The 45 shots were the most by a Bronco team in 36 regular season games dating to February 1998.

As a rookie, defenseman Ryan Crane had to wait 26 games before scoring his first goal. Last Friday, he avoided the holiday rush and figured in all three WMU tallies with two goals and an assist. Crane also recorded a team-best +3 over the weekend to earn Bronco Player of the Week honors for the second time of his career.

Early results are encouraging for the Bronco freshman class. Five of the seven rookies dressed for opening weekend with Ben Gagnon (pronounced Gone-yo) scoring a goal and Shaun Rose and David Cousineau notching assists.

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


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