KALAMAZOO, Mich. — No. 18/18 Western Michigan scored less than three minutes into the game and never trailed as the Broncos defeated Miami 7-1 Friday night. Joe Cassetti scored the RedHawks' only goal, while Jason Polin led the WMU offense with three goals. Miami falls to 4-4-1 on the year (0-3-0 NCHC), with WMU improving to 6-4-0 (1-0-0 NCHC).
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• 2:52 1st (WMU 1-0) | The Broncos took advantage of the game's first power play to take a quick 1-0 lead. After Ryan McAllister cycled the puck around the zone to Carter Berger, Jamie Rome's one-timer attempt from the right circle put WMU on the board.
• 5:57 1st (WMU 2-0) | Western Michigan struck again with a quick-developing 3-on-1. Max Sasson took a feed from McAllister and pushed the puck ahead down the left side, feeding Jason Polin at the opposite post to put the home team up 2-0.
• 13:32 2nd (Miami 2-1) | Miami cut the lead in half with a second-period power play. After the RedHawks were able to possess the puck in the offensive zone for an extended stretch of time, Hampus Rydqvist fed PJ Fletcher for a one-time shot. Cassetti and Ryan Savage were both in the right place to try and knock the rebound home, with Cassetti getting his stick on the puck to pull the Red and White within 2-1.
• 15:26 2nd (WMU 3-1) | An unfortunate bounce for the visitors led to WMU's third goal of the game. As Miami attempted to clear the puck off the back boards, it deflected off Sasson and right to Polin for a quick shot in close, making it 3-1. Zak Galambos also earned an assist on the goal for the Broncos.
• 16:49 2nd (WMU 4-1) | After Miami was whistled for a major penalty, the Broncos capitalized just 12 seconds into the five-minute power play. Off passes from Rome and McAllister, Carter Berger fired a long shot past traffic in front of the net to give WMU a 4-1 lead.
• 19:27.2 2nd (WMU 5-1) | Western scored one more power play goal before the period expired. Jack Perbix's shot looked like it might get redirected in close, but when his teammates couldn't reach it, the initial attempt ended up slipping through for a goal. Aidan Fulp and Tim Washe provided assists for the Broncos.
• 3:42 3rd (WMU 6-1) | WMU extended its lead with a shorthanded goal in the third period. Despite getting spun around on a breakaway attempt off a Sasson feed, Polin finished with the backhand to finish off his hat trick.
• 7:46 3rd (WMU 7-1) | The Broncos took advantage of another five-minute power play in the third period to make it 7-1. Luke Grainger found Tim Washe in close, and Washe's no-look pass across the crease set up Galambos for the final goal of the game.

 
NOTES

• Cassetti's goal was his team-leading fifth of the season.
• Ludvig Persson started his 26th consecutive game in net for Miami.
• Logan Neaton took over at goaltender in the third period, making his first appearance since Jan. 7.

 
UP NEXT:
Miami and WMU will meet again Saturday, Nov. 5 in Kalamazoo to conclude a two-game series. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m.