Box Score

FAIRBANKS, Alaska. -- The Western Michigan hockey team fell to Alaska, 4-0, in the first game of a best-of-three series for the CCHA Playoffs at the Carlson center on Friday night.

Alaska took a 1-0 lead 13:29 into the first period on a goal by Kevin Petovello. Brandon Knelsen picked up the puck in the right corner deep in the Bronco zone off a pass from Derek Klassen. Knelsen passed the puck to Petovello just right of the crease and the junior went five-hole on WMU goalie Riley Gill for his second goal of the season.

The Nanooks extended the lead to 2-0 with 2:08 remaining in the first period. Dion Knelsen whipped the puck into the crease from the far right board and the puck redirected off of Gill's stick and over his shoulder for Knelsen's 18th goal of the season. Freshman Andy Taranto tallied his team-leading 24th assist on the season and his 40th point, tops amongst freshman in the CCHA.

Alaska pushed the lead to 3-0 with 5:33 remaining in the second period. Aaron Gens picked up a pass from Petovello in the slot and the sophomore defenseman fired it past Gill's glove for his fifth goal of the season. Petovello picked up his third assist of the season and Klassen also tallied his third and second of the night.

The Nanooks scored their fourth goal of the night with 8:09 left in the third period. Ryan Hohl fired a shot at Gill and the Bronco goalie thought he had the puck covered up but Nik Yaremchuck came in and poked it loose and into the net for his sixth goal of the season to give Alaska a 4-0 lead.

The Broncos were out-shot 44-16 on the night and were held 0-for-2 on the power play. Gill made 40 saves in the game for his fifth career playoff game with 40-plus saves in his career.

Game two of the best-of-three series with Alaska will be played Saturday night at 11:05 p.m.