KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan hockey team maintained its status as one of the top programs in the country, as the USCHO and USA Hockey/The Rink Live polls came out this afternoon. 

The Broncos checked in at No. 11 in both the USCHO and USA Hockey/The Rink Live polls. WMU earned a split with Miami this past weekend, collecting a 4-1 win on Jan. 12 before falling 4-3 the following night. 

Western Michigan is joined by Denver, North Dakota, St. Cloud State, Colorado College and Omaha in the top 20. The NCHC and Hockey East each have six teams ranked in the latest USCHO poll. 

The Brown and Gold will now return home to host Minnesota Duluth on Jan. 19 and 20 at Lawson Arena. Friday's game will begin at 7 p.m. This will be the only meeting between the two teams this season, and WMU took three of four games from the Bulldogs last season. 

This season WMU will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Bronco Varsity Hockey, which will be commemorated in a variety of ways, including a special 50th Anniversary logo at center ice, special in-game tributes throughout the season, and a special Alumni Weekend for Bronco Hockey during the Colorado College series, January 26 and 27. In addition, every season ticket holder will receive a special 50th Anniversary puck to commemorate this special season.