KALAMAZOO, Mich. – After dominating Miami this past weekend, Western Michigan saw itself jump a few spots in the latest national polls, which were released this afternoon. 

The Broncos leaped two spots and moved to No. 12 in the nation in the USA Hockey/The Rink Live poll. WMU was able to pass Providence and UMASS. In the USCHO poll, the Brown and Gold saw a one-spot move up to No. 14. 

The NCHC continued its run of having six teams ranked, as Denver, North Dakota, Colorado College, Omaha and St. Cloud State joined the Broncos in the top 20. Only one other conference has six or more teams ranked this week. 

WMU has a big weekend coming up, as the team travels to St. Cloud, Minn. for the NCHC Quarterfinals. The Broncos and Huskies split a series at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center a few weeks ago, with WMU grabbing a 4-3 victory in the series opener. 

Should Western Michigan win that best-of-three series, the Broncos would advance to the NCHC Frozen Faceoff the following weekend in St. Paul, Minn. The semifinal and championship will be played at Xcel Energy Center, home of the Minnesota Wild. 

This season, WMU has been celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Bronco Varsity Hockey, which has been 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 on Jan. 26-27. In addition, every season ticket holder has received a special 50th Anniversary puck to commemorate this season.