THIS WEEK
Western Michigan will host Denver in the biggest series of the NCHC season. Denver currently leads the NCHC with 44 points, while WMU is in second place with 39 points. A sweep for the Broncos would put them in first place by one point heading into the final series of the regular season. 

LAST TIME OUT
The Broncos were forced to come back from a 1-0 deficit, scoring two goals in the third period to claim a 2-1 victory on Feb. 18 versus Colorado College. 

Tim Washe found the equalizer late in the third period, and Daniel Hilsendager put the Broncos ahead just 22 seconds later. Zak Galambos, Dylan Wendt, Luke Grainger and Cole Gallant all earned assists in the contest. 

Neither team could find offense in the first period, as the goalies stole the show. Cameron Rowe made 14 saves, while CC's Kaidan Mbereko was able to stop all nine WMU shots that came his way. 

Jason Polin had the best look during the period, as his shot at the 15:06 mark of the period rang off the post and skipped wide. 

In the second period, CC continued to play well defensively, and the Tigers eventually found a go-ahead goal. CC's leading scorer Hunter McKown fired a shot from the blue line that was able to get by Rowe for the game's first goal. 

Now needing one goal to tie and two goals to win, WMU ramped up the offensive pressure in the final period. In total, the Broncos fired 14 shots on net in the final 20 minutes. 

However, WMU wouldn't break through until late in the period, as Tim Washe won the draw and eventually redirected a Galambos pass into the back of the net with just under seven minutes to play. 

Just 22 seconds later, Western Michigan would move in front thanks to Hilsendager's wrist shot from the slot off of a nice drop pass from Grainger. The goal would be challenged by Colorado College, but the call would stand, and WMU would go on to win by a final score of 2-1. 

ROWE'S WORLD
Junior goaltender Cameron Rowe has taken his game to another level in the second half of the season, guiding the Broncos to an 11-1 record over their last 12 games. 

In that 12 game stretch, Rowe has made 305 saves, while allowing just 19 goals. He boats a goals against average of 1.58 and save percentage of .941 in that stretch. That has allowed him to earn NCHC Goaltender of the Week honors in three of the last five week. Overall, he's collected the award five times. He collected the accolade most recently on Feb. 20. 

Rowe currently ranks second in the NCAA with 20 wins and is ninth in the country in win percentage at .683. Additionally, he is tied-for-22nd in shutouts, tallying two this season (vs. Notre Dame and at North Dakota). 

FEARSOME FOURSOME
Though the nickname Fearsome Foursome is typically used in football, WMU has four players that have all garnered national attention. The Broncos are one of three teams (Minnesota & Michigan) to have four or more players with 30 or more points this season. Western Michigan and Minnesota are the only two teams with multiple players at 40 or more points. 

WMU's entire top line has reached 30-plus points, while Luke Grainger sits at 31. Ryan McAllister leads the team with 41 points, while Jason Polin sits just behind him at 40. Max Sasson is currently at 32 points. 

Polin is the nation's goal leader at 26, which is six more than the trio tied-for-second. McAllister is tied-for-first in assists nationally, as he's handed out 30 helpers. He's tied with Michigan's Adam Fantilli. 

THE DENVER PIONEERS| 24-8-0 Overall, 15-5-0 NCHC
- THE SERIES: Denver leads the all-time series, 22-11-2, but Western Michigan took care of business in the last meeting, earning a 6-4 victory at Lawson Arena back on Feb. 19, 2022. 

- SCOUTING THE PIONEERS: The Pioneers currently lead the NCHC by five points, with Western Michigan sitting in second place at 39 points. Denver can clinch at least a share of the title with a sweep this weekend. 

DU has been guided by Massimo Rizzo, who leads the team with 40 points, thanks to 14 goals and 26 assists. He is a +23 on the season. Rizzo's 40 points ranks tied-for-seventh in the country. 

DU has also gotten offensive help from Carter Mazur, Casey Dornbach, Mike Benning and Tristan Broz. Mazur and Dornbach each have 29 points, with Mazur leading the team in goals at 20. Benning has 10 goals and 18 assists, while Broz is sitting at 10 goals and 16 assists. 

In net, Magnus Chrona has been terrific for the No. 3-ranked Pioneers, tallying 20 wins, which is tied-for-second in the nation. He has made 647 saves and collected four shutouts, while maintaining a goals against average of 2.27 and saver percentage of .913. 

As a team, Denver leads the league in shots per game (32.78), which has led to being second in the league in goals per game (3.84). However, the Pioneers have committed 148 penalties, which is third most in the NCHC this season. 

ON THE HORIZON
Western Michigan will head on the road one final time to end the regular season when the Broncos visit Miami (OH) next weekend. WMU swept the RedHawks earlier this season.