No. 20 Denver hockey visited Kalamazoo to take on the Western Michigan University Broncos this weekend, splitting the series 1-1. The Pioneers won the first game of the series on Friday night 4-2 before surrendering the second game 3-1. The split moves DU to 15-13-6 on the season with a 9-10-3 record in conference play. Western Michigan moves to 16-13-5 on the season with a 10-10-2 mark in the conference.
The first half of Friday’s match was quiet until late in the second period when freshman forward Emil Romig finally gave the Pioneers a 1-0 lead. Romig’s goal gave way to a five-goal third period. Western Michigan’s Chase Balisy tied the game before the Pios blew the game open with three scores by freshman Will Butcher, sophomore Gabe Levine and junior Matt Tabrum.

WMU responded with a late score by Mike McGee, although their efforts proved futile as Denver took home the win 4-2. Sam Brittain took home the first star of the game, allowing two scores and making 29 saves in the match.

Saturday’s game started off with an early goal by Chase Balisy, giving the Broncos the lead, but Denver’s Ty Loney tied the game midway through the first period. The tie would stand until the third period when Chase Balisy scored two goals, completing a hat trick. The three scores proved too much for the Pioneers to overcome, as the Broncos took the win 3-1.

Denver sits at 32 conference points which is good enough for sixth in the NCHC, above only Colorado College and Miami (Ohio) University. Western Michigan sits at 34 conference points and is currently tied for fourth with the University of Minnesota Duluth. The Pioneers will take on last place Miami (Ohio) this weekend in their last series of the regular season. The Redhawks are 11-18-3 on the season and just 5-16-1 in conference play.

Two wins would be big for DU as they look to move ahead of Western Michigan or Minnesota Duluth this week in order to lock up home ice for the NCHC Quarterfinals.