- Friday, 10/23/26
- Yost Ice Arena
- Box Score
Michigan’s offense was stifled by the Broncos before coming alive in the third period to pull out a win in the dying seconds of the game. Perron extended his goal streak this season to seven games. Horcoff sent the fans home happy by beating the buzzer to score the game-winning goal. Michigan is now 7-0 this season, and will be back in action next weekend in Columbus.
Full Recap
There wasn’t too much action in the first period. Teams played a tight checking game, and neither could really produce many great scoring opportunities. Michigan’s best chance came on the power play. Hage took a drop pass at center ice and cut through the Broncos’ defense to get a partial breakaway, but couldn’t get it past Miller.
In the second period, it was much of the same. Both teams struggled to generate much offense. Eventually, Western Michigan broke the ice with a goal from Zaccharya Wisdom. Ivankovic saved the initial shot, but left the rebound right in front, and Reid wasn’t able to tie up Wisdom before he put it in.
Things opened up more in the third period for an exciting finish. Perron started the scoring for Michigan, extending his goal streak to seven games. Schock forced a turnover at the Michigan blue line, Perron picked it up, outskated the defenders, and scored with a beautiful backhand short side.
Seconds later, the Wolverines gained the lead with Rheaum-Mullen scoring his second goal of the season. Moldenhauer took a shot that went off the end boards and bounced to the side of the net, and Rheaum-Mullen was there to put it in. Western Michigan tied the game back up with a short-handed goal from Whitelaw. Michigan turned the puck over in the Western zone, and Whitelaw was sprung for a breakaway. He made no mistake, scoring with a nice forehand-to-backhand move.
The game looked like it was bound for overtime, but the Wolverines stunned the Broncos by scoring with 0.1 seconds left. As the last seconds were ticking off the clock, McKinney tried firing a shot on net, but it hit a Bronco defender. Horcoff was there to pick it up and launched a shot that beat Miller’s blocker, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Western Michigan challenged the goal for offsides, but the goal was upheld.
Western Michigan held Michigan in check for most of the game until something changed going into the third period that allowed Michigan to get things going. It’s good to see them show some resilience and fight back when nothing seems to be working. Michigan improves to 7-0 and should likely retain their No. 1 ranking.
WHH 3 Stars of the Game
- Any time you get a buzzer beater, it’s going to be the highlight of the night. Horcoff didn’t have too much going most of the game, but that doesn’t matter after scoring the game-winning goal.
- Perron is unstoppable to start the season, and will continue to be a star as long as he keeps scoring like he is.
- Ivankovic out played his Western Michigan counterpart. Both are outstanding goalies, but Ivankovic made that one extra save to get the win.