Since Miami swept Western Michigan at Lawson Arena during the COVID year, the Broncos are winless in their last 10 games vs. the RedHawks, outscoring them, 47-20.
Until 2021, MU led WMU in the all-time series, but with the RedHawks’ recent struggles, they are now nine games under .500 all-time vs. the Broncos.
While Miami’s fate in the NCHC Tournament is sealed, Western Michigan still has plenty to play for, as it could finish second, third or fourth in the league standings.
A look at this weekend’s matchup:
WHO: No. 8 Western Michigan Broncos (21-12-1, 13-8-1 NCHC) at Miami RedHawks (8-20-4, 3-16-3).
WHERE: Cady Arena (3,049), Oxford, Ohio.
WHEN: Friday — 7:05 p.m.; Saturday — 5:05 p.m.
ALL-TIME SERIES: Western Michigan leads series, 79-70-13.
STREAMING: NCHC.tv ($).
MIAMI RADIO: Friday — WKBV-AM (1490), Richmond, Ind.; Saturday — WMOH-AM (1450), Hamilton, Ohio.
NOTES: Western Michigan has been an offensive machine this season, as it leads all of Division I with 134 goals.
Jason Polin’s 27 goals is five clear of the entire college hockey field, and he recorded hat tricks in both games when these teams met in Kalamazoo last November.
The junior has 10 career goals and three assists against Miami.
Polin and teammate Ryan McAlister are tied for eighth in Division I points with 41 apiece, and McAlister — a freshman — is tied for second in the NCAA with 30 helpers.
Max Sasson and Luke Grainger are also having outstanding seasons up front, with 32 and 31 points, respectively.
A pair of transfer seniors — Zak Galambos and Carter Berger — have rejuvenated the Western Michigan blue line, as Galambos has 11 goals and 17 assists and Berger is 5-18-23.
Cameron Rowe will almost certainly start both nights in net, as he has logged 1,913 minutes and is 20-11-1 with a 2.45 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage.
Former Miamian Kirk Laursen is the only other goalie to see action for the Broncos this season. After not entering a game with the RedHawks in 2021-22, Laursen has a 3.08 GAA and .829 save percentage in 117 minutes for WMU.
While Miami is locked into the No. 8 spot in conference play and will travel to Denver for the first round of the NCHC Tournament, Western Michigan is tied with St. Cloud State for third in the NCHC.
The Broncos are two back of second-place Omaha. WMU will definitely host a first-round conference tournament series, but the question is whether Minn.-Duluth, North Dakota or Colorado College will travel to Kalamazoo next week.
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