December 22, 1998
KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University's hockey team (1-8-6
overall, 1-8-6 CCHA) returns from its holiday break looking to
snap an 11-game winless streak (0-6-5) as it faces the University
of Massachusetts-Amherst, Dec. 29-30, in Lawson Arena. Both matches
have 7 p.m. face-offs.
Last action
The Broncos saw a 3-1 lead evaporate in the third period as Bowling
Green produced goals 27 seconds apart en route to a 5-3 home victory
(Dec. 12). The loss marked the fourth time this season Western
has lost a lead with under four minutes left in regulation. Frank
Novock became the first WMU player this season to record three
points in a game with a goal and two assists. David Gove added
a goal and assist to remain atop the WMU scoring ladder (5-712).
Bronco notebook
Sophomore defenseman Kevin Clauson left the team for personal
reasons, head coach Bill Wilkinson announced on Dec. 10. The earlier
departure of D G.W. King and an injury to D Jeff Lukasak left
WMU with only five defensemen against BGSU * With five players
out with injuries prior to the break, Western's only healthy scratch
against the BG Falcons was fourth-string goaltender J.J. Weaks
* UMass-Amherst's visit marks the first Hockey East opponent to
skate on Lawson ice since Providence split a series in Kalamazoo
in October 1995. Western returned the trip the following year
in its last encounter against a Hockey East team * Western's 1-8-6
record (.266) after 15 games is the worst in school history. The
previous slowest start belongs to the 1981-82 team that began
at a 5-9-1 (.366) clip * Western hasn't drawn more than 10 penalties
in 11 of its last 13 games. The Broncos have taken 26 fewer minor
penalties this season compared to the 1997-98 campaign * David
Gove has done his part to stay out of the sin bin, compiling two
penalties in 14 games. In 50 career games, Gove has visited the
box just six times * Opponents have placed 138 more shots on goal
than Western, averaging nine extra per game * the Brown &
Gold begin a five-game homestand against UMass before hitting
the road for five straight * the holiday break for Western players
runs Dec. 13-26.
Bronco Player of the Week
Freshman defenseman Ryan Crane earned Bronco "player of the
week" honors for his effort against Bowling Green (Dec. 12).
Crane helped keep the Falcons scoreless on three power play attempts
and had an even plus-minus rating. He also placed two shots on
goal. Previous Bronco POW recipients: Dec. 7 Jeff Reynaert; Nov.
30 Frank Novock; Nov. 23 Chuck Mindel; Nov. 9 David Gove; Nov.
2 Jason Redenius; Oct. 26 Jason Redenius; Oct. 19 Matt Barnes;
Oct. 12 Jason Redenius.
Series information
Western Michigan and UMass-Amherst are meeting for the first time.
The Broncos are 9-12-0 lifetime against current Hockey East membership.
Scouting report
UMass-Amherst (4-10-1, 2-6-1 HE) had been ranked in the top 10
nationally in team defense, allowing only 34 goals in 13 games,
prior to a pair of losses to New Hampshire (7-2, 5-2), Dec. 12-13
in a home-and-home series. The Minutemen have played seven games
against ranked opponents and are off until their series with Western.
Sophomore goaltender Markus Helanen, a native of Finland, is turning
in a stellar season, having earned Heaton/Hockey East "goaltender
of the month" accolades for November. Now in his sixth season
at UMass, head coach Joe Mallen owns a 58-113-12 record.
Looking ahead
Western is off the first weekend in January. WMU plays host to
Alaska-Fairbanks (Jan. 8-9) in the first meetings of the season
before encountering Northern Michigan (Jan. 15) in Kalamazoo and
traveling to Michigan (Jan. 16).
Media contact:Daniel Jankowski, 616 387-4138; daniel.jankowski@wmich.edu
Office of University Relations
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