WMU News

Hockey Broncos split another weekend series

Jan. 8, 2000

KALAMAZOO -- The WMU hockey team (8-8-2, 7-7-2 CCHA) split a weekend series with the University of Alaska Fairbanks (3-13-0, 2-12-0 CCHA), winning 3-2 on Friday, Jan. 7, and losing by the same score on Saturday, Jan. 8.

WMU remains in fourth place in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The top four teams host first-round playoff series in the CCHA tournament, which begins March 10.

The Broncos have not been swept in a weekend series this season. They also have swept only one weekend series so far, winning back-to-back matches at Ohio State in October. This weekend's contests with CCHA last-place Alaska-Fairbanks was the fifth time in the 1999-2000 campaign that the Broncos won a Friday night series opener and failed to convert for the sweep in Saturday's rematch.

While WMU leads the all-time series with UAF, 10-6-1, the Nanooks have historically given the Broncos problems. WMU lost a match in Fairbanks at the end of the 1995-96 season, which cost that top 10-ranked Bronco team the CCHA regular season title.

WMU outshot Alaska 37-18 on Friday and 28-25 on Saturday. David Gove scored two goals, his ninth and 10th of the season, and Corey Waring scored the game-winner with less than five minutes remaining in Friday's 3-2 victory at Lawson Arena.

In Saturday night's contest, Steve Rymsha tied the match, 1-1, with his eighth goal of the season, and Daryl Andrews put the Broncos ahead, 2-1, after one period of competition. UAF scored twice in the second period for the 3-2 win.

Jeff Reynaert (8-6-2) was in goal for Western in both matches. The Broncos attracted more than 2,000 fans to Lawson Arena both Friday and Saturday.

The Broncos take a break from CCHA action, traveling to Cornell for a two-game series, Jan. 14 and 15. They travel to South Bend, Ind., for two contests at Notre Dame, Jan. 21 and 22, before returning home to host Michigan State, Jan. 28 and 29.

Bronco Hockey can be heard live on the Bronco Radio Network (Flagship station WFAT-96.5 FM) and the WMU Athletics Web Site <www.wmubroncos.com> via broadcast.com.

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


Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
616 387-8400
univ-rel@wmich.edu

http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news