Broncos Drop Season Opener

Kalamazoo, MI – In front of 2,520 fans the Western Michigan University Broncos dropped their season and home opener to Robert Morris University in a disappointing 5-2 loss at Lawson Ice Arena. The game was a close contest through the first two periods before the Colonials broke it open in the third period.

Broncos head coach Jim Culhane said following the game “the difference was special teams.” In 9 power play chances the Broncos were only able to score one time, a second period goal by freshman Dave Krisky. Krisky’s goal tied the game up at 2-2 with just over two minutes left in the period.

Unlike the Broncos lack of power on the power play, the Colonials recorded 3 goals in 7 chances and added a shorthanded goal for good measure. Jake Sparks scored two of the Colonials power play goals. His first power play goal came in the first period at 18:29 that tied the game at 1-1. Sparks finished the scoring off with his second goal of the game at the 13:08 mark of the third period. Kurt Wright also recorded a power play goal for the Colonials at 1:18 of the third period.

The Colonials also scored a short-handed goal on an odd play. With a wild scrum in front of the Broncos net, sophomore Mike Lesperance tried to clear the puck into the corner. Unfortunately instead of heading into the corner, the puck found its way past goaltender Scott Foster. Tom Biondich was credited with the goal.

The Broncos had their chances in the game. They out shot the Colonials 27-20 but ran up against a goalie that stood tall in the net. “I thought their goal tender played great,” said Culhane.

Christian Boucher played the entire game for the Colonials stopping 25 out of 27 shots. For the Broncos Foster came into the game in the third period after sophomore Daniel Bellissimo stopped 11 of 13 shots through the first two periods. Foster stopped 4 out of 7 shots. “I said two the guys going into the game that Dan will play two periods and Scott will play the third,” Culhane said.

The only even strength goal scored in the game for the Colonials was in the second period when Brett Hopfe found the back of the net on a feed from Logan Bittle. Hopfe’s goal came at the 11:18 mark of the second period giving the Colonials a 2-1 lead.

The Broncos (0-1, 0-0 CCHA) are off until next Saturday when they travel to Niagara. Game time is at 7:05pm.