Hockey Gears Up for Battle with Rival Michigan

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Western Michigan has a home-and-home collection in opposition to No. 3 Michigan, starting play at Yost Ice Arena on Thursday. The two groups will then head to Lawson Arena on Friday for the collection finale. Both video games are at 7 PM.  

LAST TIME OUT

The Broncos swept a weekend collection at UMass Lowell, incomes 2-1 and 6-0 victories. 

William Whitelaw scored thrice within the collection, whereas Ty Henricks lit the lamp twice. Joona Väisänen and Grant Slukynsky every chipped in three assists. In web, Hampton Slukynsky was lights out, boasting a 0.50 targets in opposition to common and .973 save share within the collection. 

BALANCED BRONCOS

WMU is without doubt one of the high scoring groups within the nation, thanks largely to its depth of scoring. Through 4 video games in 2025-26, 16 gamers have recorded at the least one level and 12 have multiple level. 

Joona Väisänen has been excellent, main the crew with six factors. He has recorded a least one level in three of the crew’s 4 video games this season. Additionally, William Whitelaw and Grant Slukynsky have every chipped in 5 factors by 4 video games. 

The depth was evident final weekend at UMass Lowell, as 12 gamers recorded some extent. Tyler MacKenzie and Jamison Sluys every secured their first profession level within the collection sweep. 

HAMMER TIME

Sophomore goaltender Hampton Slukynsky has confirmed to be among the finest goaltenders within the nation, and his expertise was on full show this previous weekend in opposition to UMass Lowell. 

The Warroad, Minn. native earned NCHC Goaltender of the Week honors after producing a 2-0-0 report to associate with a 0.50 targets in opposition to common and .973 save share on the weekend. He collected a 19-save shutout in Saturday’s victory. 

On the season, the Los Angeles King draft choose has a 3-1-0 report, 2.02 GAA and .890 save share. He has began all 4 video games in 2025-26.

FAMILIAR TERRITORY

William Whitelaw can be in acquainted territory when he hits the ice on Thursday at Yost Ice Arena, as he left the Wolverines to affix the Broncos previous to this season. 

The Rosemount Minn. native has performed alongside Owen Michaels and Zaccharya Wisdom on WMU’s high line, making his presence recognized early and infrequently this season. Entering the highly-anticipated collection, Whitelaw has 5 factors on 4 targets and one help. 

The Columbus Blue Jackets draft choose is thought for his offensive means. He has 40 factors on 25 targets and 15 assists in 76 profession video games. The proficient winger likes to put the puck on web, as he is registered 247 complete photographs in his profession. 

KILLIN’ IT

WMU has had among the finest penalty killing items within the nation over the past couple of years, and the 2025-26 squad is off to a scorching begin. 

The Broncos have allowed only one power-play purpose up to now this season, getting into Thursday’s matchup with a 92.3 p.c mark on the PK. Ferris State was 0-for-5 on the facility play in opposition to the Brown and Gold, whereas UMass Lowell was 1-for-8 on the person benefit. 

The Broncos have been stingy when down a person, holding opponents to only 14 photographs throughout 13 power-play alternatives. In these 13 power-play possibilities, WMU has blocked seven photographs. 

BLOCK PARTY

Western Michigan is without doubt one of the high defensive groups within the nation, which will be traced again to the crew’s means to restrict photographs on purpose. An enormous cause for that’s WMU’s willingness to get in entrance of the puck. The Broncos common 10 blocked photographs per sport. 

Cole Crusberg-Roseen leads the way in which with six blocks, whereas Zach Bookman, Samuel Sjolund and Theo Wallberg are all at a block per sport or higher. Even the forwards get entangled, as Tyler MacKenzie has stepped in entrance of three photographs this season. 

WMU has restricted its opponents to only over 18 photographs per sport. The Broncos have not allowed an opponent to succeed in 20 photographs in a sport up to now this season.  

DOMINATING THE DOT

The Broncos pleasure themselves on having the ability to win attracts, and that has proven early within the 2025-26 marketing campaign as they sit second within the nation and first within the NCHC with a win price of 56.6 p.c. 

Owen Michaels has been the best choice, successful 68.6 p.c of his faceoffs. The Northville, Mich. native has 59 of WMU’s 150 faceoff wins this 12 months. Iiro Hakkarainen and Grant Slukynsky have additionally been robust, successful greater than 54 p.c of their attracts. 

The Broncos have had the NCHC’s particular person chief in faceoff share every of the final three seasons. 

SCOUTING THE WOLVERINES

Michigan is off to a quick begin this season, getting into the collection with a 6-0-0 report. UM has wins over Mercyhurst, Providence and Robert Morris. 

The Wolverines lead the all-time collection 77-38-9. WMU has gained 15 video games in Ann Arbor. The two groups break up final season, with every program successful on house ice. 

Michigan has been essentially the most prolific offense within the NCAA to begin the season, that includes two of the most effective scorers within the nation. Michael Hage leads UM with 11 factors on 5 targets and 6 assists. Will Horcoff is the crew’s chief in targets, lighting the lamp six instances in six video games. 

In web, Jack Ivankovic has began all six video games, boasting a 1.17 targets in opposition to common and .942 save share. He has one shutout and has made 113 complete saves. 

CONSISTENCY IS KEY

Since the beginning of the 2021-22 season, Western Michigan has been constantly among the many high groups within the nation, and the polls replicate that. The Broncos have now made 4 straight NCAA Tournaments and sit at No. 2 within the nationwide polls. The Broncos have been ranked within the high 20 since Oct. 11, 2021.