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KALAMAZOO -- Jordan Collins netted the first two-goal game of his career to lead Western Michigan to a 3-1 win over No. 12 Alaska-Fairbanks in front of 2,655 at Lawson Ice Arena on Friday night.
Before the night's action, Collins had just two goals in his 79 game and three year career at Western Michigan (6-7-2, 2-7-2-1). The defenseman, known much more for his physical play and willingness to block shots, netted his first of the season at 9:08 in the first period to square the game, 1-1. Patrick Nagorsen won a faceoff in the Nanook zone, getting the puck to J.J. Crew. Crew cycled the puck to defenseman P.J. Kavaya, who passed it to Collins. The Novi, Mich., native wound up and fired a slap-shot from the slot. The puck traveled past several Broncos and Nanooks before going between UAF goalie Scott Greenham's legs and in to the back of the net. Kavaya tallied his first assist on the season and Crew picked up his third.
After a scoreless second period the Broncos took the lead 3:15 in to the third. Tyler Ludwig beat Greenham on his glove side from between the left circle and the blue-line. Crew picked up his fourth assist on the season and Nagorsen tallied his first on Ludwig's first goal of the season.
With 1:35 remaining in the game and down 2-1, UAF pulled Greenham from the net for a faceoff in the Bronco zone. After a wide shot by a Nanook forward, the puck was loose behind the Bronco net. Collins got control, spun and fired it the full length of the ice and in to an empty net for his second of the game to secure the victory.
Until tonight, the Broncos had just one goal scored by a blue-liner all season, when Luke Witkowski netted a power-play goal at Ohio State on Nov. 13.
Although defensemen scored all the goals for the Broncos, WMU's best defender may have been Riley Gill. The WMU netminder made 33 saves, including 15 in the second period and nine on the penalty kill, to keep WMU in the game and in the lead. The Broncos also blocked 20 shots in the night with Chris Clackson, Cam Watson, Witkowski and Ludwig each blocking three.
The Broncos and Nanooks battle again on Saturday at 7:35 p.m. with Western Michigan holding a Teddy Bear Toss after the first intermission. Fans are encouraged to bring a teddy bear to toss on to the ice. All the bears will be donated to the Bronson Children's Hospital.
