KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan hockey team has moved up to fifth in the latest USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll released on Monday.

The ranking is the highest for the Broncos since ranking fourth in the US College Hockey Online Poll on Oct. 31, 2011.  WMU moved up to sixth in the USCHO poll for this week.

The 27th annual USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's College Hockey Poll is conducted each week in conjunction with the American Hockey Coaches Association. The poll includes input from coaches and journalists representing each of the six NCAA Division I ice hockey conferences, as well as composite votes from officers of the AHCA and USA Hockey.

The USCHO.com Poll consists of 50 voters, including coaches and beat writers and sports professionals from across the country. The poll is a production of USCHO.com, which provides in-depth coverage of college hockey.

Western Michigan comes off a non-conference road sweep at St. Lawrence, downing the Saints 8-2 and 5-1, and resumes National Collegiate Hockey Conference action this weekend at Miami on Friday and Saturday. Friday's puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m., with Saturday starting at 5:05 p.m. Both games will be streamed live on NCHC.tv and heard live on the Bronco Media Network. WMU returns home on Dec. 10-11, hosting Omaha. Tickets are available by calling 1-888-4-WMUTIX and online at www.wmubroncos.com.