Broncos Fall to Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Jan. 7) - Michigan remained atop the Central Collegiate Hockey Association standings with a 6-4 win over Western Michigan in a high-scoring affair from Yost Arena. The Broncos have dropped 14 consecutive games in Ann Arbor since October, 1995.

The fourth-ranked Wolverines (15-5-1, 12-1-0 CCHA) recieved two goals from Jeff Tambellini (three points) and T.J. Hensick while Ryan Mahrle notched three points and Paul Szczechura two points (1-1) for the Broncos, who finished 3-for-6 on the power play.

Western Michigan opened scoring when Szczechura stripped the puck from a Wolverine defenseman and lifted a shot over the shoulder of goaltender Al Montoya. Michigan responded with 2:40 left in regulation on T.J. Hensick's 12th tally of the season off a rebound in front of netminder Daniel Bellissimo.

An active second period saw five goals scored. Hensick notched his second marker of the night just 1:29 into the period. Jeff Tambellini and Jason Ryznar also answered for the Wolverines. WMU kept close with tallies from Mike Erickson and Brent Walton, who provided the Broncos's second power play strike of the night.

"I'm really proud of our effort tonight, it was a great game played by both teams at a difficult place to play, " said WMU coach Jim Culhane. "We got off to a strong start with Szczechura's goal and executed well on the power play. We will take away a lot of positives from this game."

The teams square off tomorrow night at Lawson Arena (7:35 p.m.) on "Blackout Saturday." The game will be televised live by FSN Detroit.

NOTES: The CCHA's leading scorer, Walton registered his team-leading 15th goal ... Szczechura earned Perani Cup No. 3 Star of the Game honors ... WMU has scored power play goals in 16 of 19 contests this season ... tonight's contest marked WMU's first action in 19 days and first CCHA contest in over a month.

GOAL DESCRIPTIONS:
1st, 2:32, WMU - Szczechura steals the puck in the Wolverine zone and lifts a shot over Montoya's shoulder.
1st, 17:20, UM - Hensick capitalizes on a rebound to the left of Bellissimo.
2nd, 1:29, UM (PP) - Hensick skates in from the right circle and places a wrister into the corner of the net.
2nd, 7:21, WMU - Erickson pokes a shot past Montoya in traffic.
2nd, 7:58, UM - Tambellini beats Bellissimo five hole with a low wrister.
2nd, 10:03, UM - Ryznar finds Gajic unmarked in the slot, who tucks a shot under the crossbar.
2nd, 13:40, WMU (PP) - Walton from the top right circle places a shot between the pads of Montoya.
3rd, 5:05, UM - Tambellini turns the corner on a Bronco defenseman and beats Bellissimo to the short side.
3rd, 10:50, WMU (PP) - Mahrle skates into the slot and buries a wrister top shelf.
3rd, 16:47, UM (PP) - Moss finishes on a pass from Nystrom.