WMU News

Hockey team drops 4-3 decision at Cornell

Jan. 14, 2000

ITHICA, N.Y. -- Western Michigan University's hockey team (8-9-2, 7-7-2 CCHA) took an early two goal lead, but a big second period led Cornell (6-7-1, 4-4-0 ECAC) to a 4-3 victory on Friday (Jan. 14) on Cornell's home ice.

WMU received goals from Jeff Lukasak and Mike Bishai for a 2-0 led at the end of the first period. Cornell responded with four unanswered goals in the second and third periods and a 4-2 lead. Brent Rumble scored for WMU in the third period for the 4-3 final score.

The two teams will faceoff again Saturday night in Ithica, N.Y., beginning at 7 p.m. The Broncos have never won (0-3) versus Cornell, a member of the East Coast Athletic Conference.

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.

Cornell is probably the most familiar non-conference opponent for the Broncos. WMU caught its first look at Cornell at the 1997 NCAA Regionals in Grand Rapids hosted by the Broncos. Both teams met on the ice twice the following season, when the Big Red was invited back to Van Andel Arena for the Pepsi Tournament (a 3-2 WMU setback). The Brown and Gold then hosted Cornell three weeks later in Lawson Arena (a 2-0 Bronco loss). Cornell head coach Mike Schafer spent five seasons as an assistant at WMU (1990-95) and his current assistant, Brent Brekke, was a four-letterwinner (1991-94) on defense for the Broncos. Brekke replaced current WMU assistant Scott Garrow, who spent four seasons on Schafer's staff.

WMU is in fourth place in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and returns to CCHA action next weekend. The Broncos 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.

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


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