Complete 2009-10 Hockey Information Guide (Small File) - Western ...

A young team and a tough first half schedule led to struggles for the WesternMichigan hockey team during the first half of the 2008-09 season. Afterwinning the opening game of the season over Niagara, the Broncos did notget a win in their next nine games before defeating Michigan 2-1 at YostArena. The youngsters took their growing pains in the first half and flippedthe script in the second half of the season.A 3-2 overtime win in Alaska on Dec. 20 helped spark the Broncos rapidclimb in the CCHA standings. From that game on WMU went 10-6-3 to finishthe regular season in seventh place and set to host an opening roundseries in the CCHA Tournament.While Lawson Ice Arena usually gives ranked teams fits, the Broncos took tobeating the nation’s best on the road last year. WMU won at No. 8 Michigan,at No. 18 Alaska and at No. 11 Ohio State. Western Michigan also earned adraw at No. 2 Notre Dame.After dropping the first game to Lake Superior State, WMU won game two indouble-overtime on a goal by former Bronco defenseman Kevin Connauton.WMU took care of business in game three, defeating the Lakers 3-1before having their season ended by eventual CCHA Tournament runners upMichigan.WMU goaltender Riley Gill also earned a place in Bronco history after making46 saves in a 5-0 win over Nebraska-Omaha on Feb. 7. The shutoutpushed Gill past Mark Magliarditi for the most shutouts in school history.The Northfield, Minn., native wasn’t done there, the next game he made 41saves to become the first Bronco goaltender in school history to post backto-backshutouts. Gill also boasts something no other Bronco goaltenderhas ever accomplished, winning two games at Michigan’s legendary YostArena.The Broncos also saw improvement in several players. Max Campbell setnew career-highs in goal scoring with 16 and points with 31. Tyler Ludwigbecame the first Bronco defenseman to break the 20-point barrier sinceDave Cousineau did during the 2003-04 season. Ludwig had career-highsacross the board with eight goals and 21 assists for 29 points as well asleading the team in blocked shots.Several freshmen made a name for themselves during the season. DefensemanKevin Connauton impressed NHL scouts with his seven goals and 11assists on the season and was drafted in the third round by the VancouverCanucks. Greg Squires finished tied for third on the team with 29 points onseven goals and 22 assists. Squires, along with Connauton received CCHAAll-Rookie Team honorable mention.2008-09 REVIEWHelping the Broncos along the way was senior forward Patrick Galivan. OnJan. 23 Galivan scored a goal and dished out an assist, a not uncommontwo point game. This was to be the beginning of a streak that catapultedthe Oak Park, Ill., native to become the fifth Bronco to become the CCHAScoring Champion. The 12 game streak saw Galivan tally 25 points on 10goals and 15 assists. He would finish the CCHA season with 36 points off of14 goals and 22 assists for the title.Freshman linemates Kyle O’Kane and J.J. Crew found lightning in the bottleduring the second half of the season, combining for 17 goals and 17 assiststo help spur WMU’s second-half run.After the season ended the Broncos celebrated the careers of Galivan,Chris Frank, Kevin O’Connor, Steve Silver, Sean Weaver and Dave Krisky. Allsix seniors left Western Michigan with degrees in hand.2008-09 HOCKEY AWARDS & RECIPIENTSRod Hodge Most Valuable PlayerPatrick GalivanEd Edwards Most Improved PlayerKyle O’KaneNeil Smith Most Valuable DefensemanTyler LudwigVic Vanderberg Leading ScorerPatrick NagorsenSuzanne Klop Rookie of the YearGreg Squires/Kevin ConnautonCatherine Lawson Sportsmanship AwardDave KriskyBill Saunders Plus/Minus AwardJ.J. CrewPeter Ellis Academic Achievement AwardDave KriskyKalamazoo Optimist Hockey Associate Grinder Award Chris Clackson53For the second-straight season Patrick Galivan won both the Rob Hodge Most Valuable Player award and theVic Vanderberg Leading Scorer award.www.wmubroncos.com • 9 ALL-AMERICANS • www.wmubroncos.com • 3 HOBEY BAKER FINALISTS