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KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Senior captain Jason Polin netted his second career hat trick as the 18th-ranked Western Michigan hockey team blew past Miami, 7-1, at Lawson Ice Arena on Friday night.
WMU (6-4-0, 1-0-0 NCHC) also picked up goals from Jamie Rome, Jack Perbix, Carter Berger and Zak Galambos. Freshman forward Ryan McAllister and sophomore forward Max Sasson each had three assists, while Tim Washe had a pair of assists in the win. Cameron Rowe made 18 saves on the night as the Broncos outshot the Redhawks 39-19 overall. WMU was lethal on the power play, going 4-for-10 thanks to two major penalties on Miami.
The Broncos struck first thanks to an early power play. Rome fired in a shot from the right circle on a one-timer from Berger just 2:52 in. McAllister picked up his first of three assists on the Rome’s career-high fourth goal of the season. The goal also extended Rome’s scoring streak to three games.
Minutes later Polin made it 2-0, finishing off a 2-on-1 rush created by McAllister. McAllister tracked a loose puck and left a drop pass off the boards for Sasson, who streaked down the left side of the ice. Sasson cut in towards the net and passed it across the slot for Polin, who punched it under the crossbar for his fourth goal of the season.
The RedHawks responded on the power play at 13:32 in the second period on a goal by Joe Cassetti from in front of the crease, cutting the lead to 2-1
Just under two minutes later Polin pushed the lead to two goals on his second of the night. Galambos tried to stuff it in from the left side of the net but the rebound kicked off of Miami goalie Ludvig Persson, bounced up off of Sasson’s chest and back into the slot. Polin burst in and slapped it into the net.
The first major of the game was issued to Hampus Rydqvist at 16:36 in the second period and WMU took full advantage, scoring just 13 seconds into the power play. Berger fired a shot from the center point to make it 4-1, with Rome and McAllister each picking up assists.
The Broncos added a second power play goal on the major at 19:27. Aidan Fulp dished it off to Perbix in the right circle and Perbix’s shot went five-hole on Persson and trickled in for his first goal as a Bronco.
Polin completed the hat trick early in the third period with a short-handed goal. Sasson blocked a shot at the center point and won a race to the loose puck. He pushed it ahead to Polin, who skated in on goal while being hooked by Red Savage and fired a back-hander into the net. WMU’s captain also drew a penalty on the goal as the lead was extended to 6-1.
After the second major penalty, the Broncos pushed the lead to 7-1 on a power play goal by Galambos. Luke Grainger had the puck in the right circle and passed it down to Washe in front of the net. Washe dropped a no-look pass to Galambos at the back door and he punched it in for his sixth goal of the season.
The Broncos and RedHawks go at it again on Saturday night at 6 p.m. Tickets are still available at www.wmubroncos.com/tickets.
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