Western Michigan was last in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association coaches poll.
But with only four weeks remaining in the regular season, the Broncos are fourth in the league with
records of 14-6-8 overall and 8-5-7-4 in the league with 35 points under first-year coach Jeff Blashill.
Western hosts Bowling Green (8-18-2, 3-15-2-0) tonight and Saturday nights at 7:35.
"He’s an attention to detail guy. He’s an expectations guy," said BG coach Chris Bergeron, a
close friend of Blashill. "This year, he’s instilled attention to detail and an expectation level,
That has translated into some wins and now they’re a confident bunch. They’re not waiting for something
bad to happen. They’re making something good happen. They’re not making many mistakes."
The Broncos trail third-place Miami by four points, but have played two fewer games. Western visits Miami
Feb 11-12.
Western is fifth in the league in scoring (2.82 goals per game) and tied for fourth in power-play
conversions (17.6 percent, 23-of-131). Defensively, the Broncos are tied for third in goals allowed
(2.29) and seventh in penalty-killing (80.8 percent, 97-of-120).
"They’re playing the game the way it’s supposed to be played," Bergeron said.
STREAK: The Broncos are 7-0-4 in their last 11 games, out-scoring their opponents by a 36-18 margin.
LEADERS: Western freshman forward Chase Balisy leads with the team with 26 points, including 16 assists.
Senior center Max Campbell has 13 goals and 12 assists.
Senior Jerry Kuhn and sophomore Nick Pisellini have combined for a 2.23 goals-against average and a .909
save percentage.
OFFENSE: BG, last in the CCHA offensively at 2.0 gpg, has scored three or fewer goals in 12 straight
games, including just one goal six times.
"We’re focusing on hitting the net, shooting more and getting more people to the net," Bergeron
said. "We don’t create enough traffic. I want us in that area more."
POWER PLAY: The BG power play is 0-of-32 in the last six games and has scored just 12 goals in 28 games,
"We work on it all the time. I don’t know any other way to do it," Bergeron said.
