KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Western Michigan will look to keep its winning streak alive with Denver in town for a pair of games. WMU has won six straight games and hosts Denver beginning on Friday Dec. 8. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at Lawson Arena.   

LAST TIME OUT
The Broncos completed a sweep of Lindenwood with a 5-1 victory last Saturday. Goals came from Ethan Phillips, Dylan Wendt, Sam Colangelo, Hugh Larkin and Chad Hillebrand. Phillips and Colangelo each had multi-point games in the win. 

50 YEARS OF BRONCO HOCKEY
WMU will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of varsity hockey this season, which will be commemorated in a variety of ways. Along with a 50th anniversary logo at center ice, there will be special in-game tributes to former players and teams and an alumni weekend for the Colorado College series on January 26 and 27. 

Throughout the season, WMU will welcome back former captains and key players from the last 50 years to participate in a One Last Lap promotion, along with other events. 

Former coach Bill Wilkinson, former captains Brian Tulik and Brent Brekke, former NHLer Joe Corvo, former teammates Derek Roehl and Brett Beebe and former off-ice official Bill Saunders have joined the festivities thus far, and more players are scheduled to join for upcoming games. 

TOP LINE TAKEOVER
The Broncos changed up their first line prior to the Colorado College series back in mid-November, and it's paid huge dividends for everyone involved. 

Since making the switch to Luke Grainger, Dylan Wendt and Alex Bump on the first line, Western Michigan has a 6-0 record and has outscored those opponents 24-4. 

Individually, the trio has excelled together, as Wendt and Bump are currently riding six-game point streaks and Grainger has scored at least one point in five of the last six games. 

During their six games together, Wendt has produced 12 points on six goals and six assists, including a pair of three-point nights in a sweep of CC. He is also a +8 in that stretch. 

Grainger isn't far behind, as the captain has tallied 11 points over last six games. Over that stretch, he has netted three goals and dished out eight assists. He is also a +5 over the last six games. 

Not to be forgotten, Bump has exceeded expectations since moving to the first line, scoring at least one point in his last six games. Since moving to the first line, the freshman has seven points on two goals and five assists. He's also a +5 in that stretch.  

KILLIN' IT
Western Michigan has been excellent on the penalty kill so far this season, and a lot of that has to do with the current run the Broncos are on. 

On the season, WMU is sitting at 90 percent on the penalty kill, which puts the Broncos at fourth in the nation. In total, Western Michigan has killed off 45 of 50 opposing power plays. 

The Brown and Gold have been so strong at keeping opposing teams off the board, thanks to an impressive 23 penalty kills in a row. That run includes kills of three major penalties and a game misconduct. 

AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
The Broncos have a trio of players sitting among the nation's best in a variety of statistical categories. Luke Grainger, Dylan Wendt and Cameron Rowe have each had strong 2023-24 seasons thus far, and that shows in the national rankings. 

Grainger is third in points per game (1.64) and assists per game (1.14) and tied-for-fourth in assists (16) and points (23). 

Wendt is second in goals (12) and goals per game (0.86) and seventh in points (22), points per game (1.57) and power-play goals (5). 

In net, Rowe has been a rock, currently sitting at fifth in wins (10) and goals against average (1.86), seventh in shutouts (2) and 11th in save percentage (.925). 

SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
Denver enters the weekend series sitting one point ahead of WMU in the NCHC standings. The Pioneers enter averaging more than five goals per game and have scored five or more goals in eight of their last 10 games. 

Leading the way for Denver has been Massimo Rizzo, who leads the team in points with 28 on six goals and 22 assists. He is the nation's leader in points. 

Aiding the Denver offensive attack is Jack Devine, who leads the country in goals with 14 and is second in the nation in points with 26. Carter King and Zeev Buium have also been strong, with each currently sitting at 21 points on the season. 

In net, Freddie Halyk has started 11 games, while Matt Davis has seen five starts. Halyk leads the duo with a 2.72 goals against average, .887 save percentage and 8-3-0 record. In five games, Davis has posted a 3.22 GAA, .872 save percentage and 3-1-1 record. 

CONSISTENCY IS KEY
Since early in the 2021-22 season Western Michigan has been consistently among the top teams in the nation, and the polls reflect that. WMU has made back-to-back NCAA Tournaments and cracked the top-five of the USCHO poll each of the last two seasons. 

The Broncos have been ranked in the top-20 since Oct. 11, 2021 and currently sit at No. 13 in nation. 

A CHANCE AT HISTORY
The 2023-24 Broncos will have a chance to make history, as the program has never reached the NCAA Tournament in three consecutive seasons. WMU has made back-to-back appearances on two separate occasions (2011 & 2012, 2022 & 2023). 

In 2022, the Brown and Gold earned a No. 1 seed in the tournament and picked up the first NCAA Tournament win in program history. The Broncos upended Northeastern, 2-1, in overtime.