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Broncos advance in CCHA playoffsMarch 9, 2009 KALAMAZOO--Goalkeeper Riley Gill made 29 saves, and freshman Kyle O'Kane netted the game-winning goal early in the second period as the Western Michigan University hockey team defeated Lake Superior State, 3-1, to advance to the second round of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Playoffs on Sunday evening at Lawson Ice Arena. The Broncos took a 1-0 lead at the 13:10 mark of the first period. WMU was cycling the puck on a power play when Tyler Ludwig skated into the slot, backhanding it past LSSU goaltender Pat Inglis. Patrick Galivan and Greg Squires tallied assists on the goal. Lake Superior State answered just over four minutes later on a power play, and the contest was tied, 1-1, at the end of the first period. WMU opened the game up in the second period, scoring at 3:42 when O'Kane intercepted a pass in the LSSU zone and beat Inglis high on his stick side. The unassisted game-winning goal was the ninth of the season for the freshman and his third point of the series. Fellow freshman J.J. Crew pushed the Broncos ahead, 3-1, netting a goal with 14 seconds remaining in the period. Crew ended up with the puck just right of the slot and beat Inglis for his sixth goal of the season and second goal of the playoffs. Earlier in the weekend at Lawson Arena, Lake Superior State took game one of the series, 6-3, after jumping out to a 4-0 lead early in the second period of Friday's contest. WMU needed overtime Saturday to tie the series at a game apiece. Freshman defenseman Kevin Connauton scored a goal 7:57 into the second overtime period for a 4-3 victory. Seventh-seeded WMU will head to Ann Arbor to battle No. 2-seeded Michigan at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 13, and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 14. The start time for Sunday's contest, if necessary, has not been set. Visit wmubroncos.com for up-to-date information on all Bronco sports. Media contact: Mat Kanan, (269) 387-4125, mat.kanan@wmich.edu WMU News |
