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Broncos advance to CCHA championship

March 19, 2010

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Photo of WMU's Kyle O'Kane.DETROIT--A four-goal outburst in the second period sparked Western Michigan University's hockey team to a 5-2 victory over the University of Michigan Friday night at Joe Louis Arena to earn the Broncos their first trip to the CCHA championship game since 1986.

No. 4-seeded WMU, 19-11-10, faces No. 3 Miami University, 22-9-6, at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Joe Louis Arena for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association championship. A victory gives the winner an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. Live coverage will be provided by the Bronco Radio Network and by Fox Sports Detroit Plus on television.

In the other semifinal contest Friday, Miami defeated Notre Dame, 6-2. No. 1 seeded Michigan will play No. 2 Notre Dame this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. for third-place in the CCHA tournament.

Dane Walters, Matt Tennyson, Derek Roehl and Kyle O'Kane all scored in the decisive second period, which was only the second time all season WMU scored four goals in one period. A strong effort on the power play supplied the Bronco offense it's horsepower, as WMU went 3-of-6 on the man-advantage.

Senior goalkeeper Jerry Kuhn continued his strong play between the pipes, making 29 saves to improve his personal record to 12-6-6. It was the first victory for the Broncos over Michigan since Nov. 14, 2008, and it also stopped the Wolverines eight-game winning streak.

Mike Leone scored the other goal for the Broncos to give WMU a 1-0 lead in the first period. The line combination of Leone, O'Kane and Roehl wreaked havoc all night for the Broncos, scoring two goals as a unit with Leone adding a power play tally. Leone and Walters led WMU with three points apiece, each earning a goal and two assists, while Roehl and O'Kane each added a goal and assist for two point nights.

The Broncos' four-goal explosion in the second period turned a 1-0 first-period lead into a 5-1 cushion by the second intermission. WMU led 3-0 before Michigan got its first goal of the evening. The Wolverines got the only goal of the third period for the 5-2 final score.

Visit wmubroncos.com for complete details of scoring in the Broncos' victory Friday in the CCHA semifinals.

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Broncos skate into NCAA tourney as No. 3 seed
Broncos fall to Miami 5-2 in CCHA title game

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Media contact: Adam Bodnar, (269) 387-4125, adam.e.bodnar@wmich.edu

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