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KALAMZOO (1660 THE FAN) -- Skating to a 2-2 draw in Saturday’s exhibition with Western Ontario at Lawson Ice Arena, the Western Michigan hockey team officially kicked off their regular season at their weekly press conference Monday.

Second year head coach Andy Murray said of Saturday’s effort, “I thought the game against Western Ontario was a good one for our team, they’re a tough team and a good challenge for us,” citing the defensive effort of the Broncos that held the Mustangs to 20 shots on goal.

Western Michigan tallied 46 shots on goal, but only capitalized twice.

“We would have liked to have some better results offensively in the game, but those are coachable moments as we prepare for St. Lawrence.” 

Junior Forward Chase Balisy said that despite losing leaders from last year’s CCHA championship team, this year’s team has guys that know what it takes to accomplish their goals. Defending their first CCHA title since 1986 and in their last year in the CCHA, the three goals remain the same.

“Win a regular season title, the CCHA tournament, and the NCAA tournament,” said Balisy, “We accomplished one of those three last year and we’re ready for the challenge this season.”

The Broncos open the regular season at home against the St. Lawrence Saints. The two teams last met in 2010, splitting the series in Canton, NY. The high-octane St. Lawrence offense is led by Junior wing Greg Carey. Carey, a freshman at the time, tallied a hat trick against the Broncos. All three goals came in the second period on the way to a 3-3 OT draw on October 23, 2010.

The first of two games this weekend at Lawson is Friday night at 7:00. Follow the Broncos all season long on WKZO.

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