#16 Western Michigan (13-10-5, 10-7-3-3 CCHA ) vs Alaska (9-13-4, 6-12-4-2 CCHA)
When: Friday, Feb. 3 7:05 p.m./Saturday, Feb. 4, 7:05 p.m.
Where: Kalamazoo, Mich./Lawson Ice Arena
Radio: Friday/Saturday: 96.5 WKZO and www.wkzo.com/listen-live
Television: Friday/Saturday: Bronco Insider Live Stream
LAST WEEK
Western Michigan and Bowling Green split a home and home series with each team defending its home ice.
On Friday Bowling Green's Andrew Hammond stood on his head in the first period, making 17 saves to keep the game tied 0-0 before the Broncos opened it up in the second period, scoring three goals to take a 3-0 lead before BG netted its lone goal of the game. Dane Walters netted twice in the period and Greg Squires ended a scoring drought that dated back till 0ct. 14. Shane Berschbach added an empty net goal to seal the win, while Frank Slubowski made 20 saves for his ninth win of the season.
On Saturday Hammond stifled the Broncos making 28 saves and allowing just one goal on the night. Camden Wojtala and James McIntosh each netted goals in the third period to give the Falcons a 2-1 win.
SERIES HISTORY
Western Michigan leads the all-time series 25-20-7 with a 13-7-1 edge in Kalamazoo. WMU is 2-0-2 in its last four games against Alaska, but all four of those were on the road. The Broncos have not lost to the Nanooks at home since Feb. 14, 2009. WMU took five of six points in Alaska earlier this season with a 4-1 win and a 2-2 tie and shootout win.
Greg Squires leads all Broncos in scoring against the Nanooks with seven points on one goal and six assists. In total 11 different Broncos have scored goals against Alaska but only Trevor Elias has tallied more than once, with two goals in his career. Both Frank Slubowski and Nick Pisellini made their first career appearances against Alaska earlier this year. Pisellini made 26 stops and surrendered just one goal in WMU's 4-1 win, while Slubowski made a career-high 32 saves in a 2-2 tie and shootout win.
SCOUTING THE NANOOKS, AGAIN
The Nanooks (9-13-4, 6-12-4-2 CCHA) have been an up and down team this year but have won two of their last three games, including an impressive 6-3 win over Notre Dame. Alaska is just 2-5-3 away from home this season with its two road wins coming as part of a sweep at Bowling Green.
Sophomore Cody Kunyk leads the team in points with 24 and goals with 13. He is the lone double-digit goal scorer on the team but Colten Beck (9), Nik Yaremchuk (8), Andy Taranto (7) and Jarret Granberg (8) are all on the cusp. Sophomore defenseman Aaron Gens leads the team with assists at 13 and is the top scorer from the blue line with 15 points.
Senior netminder Scott Greenham has been the anchor of the Nanook defense for most of his career. While his numbers are down from his CCHA Goalie of the Year award winning season last year, he still remains a threat to steal a game every night he starts between the pipes. This season he is 8-11-4 with a .901 save percentage and a 2.50 goals against average. In his career he is 45-40-19 with a 2.22 goals against average, a .916 save percentage and 11 career shutouts.
HOLDING SERVE
WMU is now 4-0-1 in its last five CCHA home games. During the streak the Broncos have outscored opponents 18-5. Dane Walters himself has outscored the competition 7-5. Frank Slubowski has a .958 save percentage and a 0.98 goals against average during WMU's unbeaten run.
AN END TO FEAST OR FAMINE
For three straight series, and most of the month of January, the Broncos were in a feast or famine mode. Previous to the Bowling Green series the Broncos had either been swept by opponents, or swept them. WMU was swept by Minnesota-Duluth and Miami but were able to down no. 3 Notre Dame in a home and home series.
In total the Broncos have been involved in seven sweeps this year, with four of them going in Western Michigan's favor. Notre Dame, Alabama-Huntsville, Northern Michigan and Ferris State have all been swept by the Broncos.
HOCKEY CARES
For more information on Hockey Cares weekend please check out www.wmubroncos.com/hockeycares
