KALAMAZOO -- Down 4-2 in the third period the Western Michigan hockey team cut the lead down to one goal after a power play goal by
Chris Clackson, but was unable to complete the comeback as they fell to Michigan State, 5-3, in front of 2,613 fans at Lawson Ice Arena on Saturday night.
The Broncos responded to a very early goal by Anthony Hayes at the 1:44 mark of the first period.
Jared Katz netted his first of two goals on the night on the power play at 10:38. Freshman winger
Trevor Elias dropped a pass back to Katz, and he beat MSU goalkeeper Bobby Jarosz on his glove side to tie the game, 1-1. The goal was the second of the season for Katz and Elias picked up his third assist along with
Tyler Ludwig. The assist extended Elias’ scoring streak to six games in his career and on the season.
MSU scored two goals to open the second period to secure a 3-1 lead before Katz struck again at the 8:00 mark. Katz intercepted a pass from a MSU defender in the slot and beat Jarosz for his second on the night and third on the season to cut the lead to one.
CCHA Scoring leader Corey Tropp gave the pushed the Spartan lead back to two with a goal at 6:44 in the third period.
Needing to respond the Broncos were on the power play late in the third period when MSU’s Torey Krug slammed into a Bronco from behind and was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct. The major penalty allowed WMU to be on the power play for the remainder of regulation. Shortly afterwards, Clackson put in a rebound off a shot from freshman defenseman
Matt Tennyson to cut the lead to 4-3. The goal was Clackson’s third of the season, with Tennyson earning his third assist and Squires adding his sixth.
Still on the power play the Broncos pulled
Riley Gill from net for a six-on-four advantage but MSU’s Dustin Gazely put the puck in to an open net with six seconds remaining to seal the Spartan win.
Western Michigan hosts Lake Superior State on Nov. 6 and Nov. 7, with both as 7:35 p.m. starts. The Nov. 7 game will be Military Appreciation night at Lawson Ice Arena and the Broncos will pay special tribute to who are currently serving or have served in the United States military.
Courtesy: Alaska Sports Photography
