KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Western Michigan will get back into NCHC play with a road series against North Dakota on Jan. 17-18. Puck drop for the series opener on Friday is set for 8 PM EST.
LAST TIME OUT
The Broncos swept Alaska Anchorage at Lawson Arena, picking up a 4-1 win on Jan. 3 before claiming a 5-2 victory the following night.
Liam Valente had three goals in the series, while
Owen Michaels delivered a pair of tallies.
HAMMER TIME
Hampton Slukynsky has been one of the best goaltenders in the nation this season, and he was able to represent his country at the World Junior Championship earlier this month.
The Warroad, Minn. native was selected to Team USA, playing in a pair of games. In the tournament, he went 2-0-0 with a 1.50 goals against average and .933 save percentage. He made 42 total saves. His wins came over Latvia and Switzerland.
Team USA would go on to win its seventh gold medal and second in a row at the event. It was the first time in history that the U.S. had won back-to-back World Junior Championships.
This is Slukynsky's second gold medal, as the young goaltender helped Team USA win the 2023 U-18 World Championship.
SPECIAL TEAMS SUCCESS
Since returning from Christmas break, WMU's power play has been dominant. The Broncos have at least one power-play goal in each of their last four games, including two in the series opener against Alaska Anchorage on Jan. 3.
In that four-game stretch, Western Michigan's power play is sitting at 45.5 percent. On the season, WMU is at 23.4 percent, which is good for third in the NCHC and 17th in the nation.
Penalty kill wise, the Broncos are among the best in the nation. The team has allowed just four power-play goals all season, killing off penalties at a remarkable 91.5 percent. That is the top mark in the NCHC and is second best in the nation.
Since Minnesota Duluth converted on the power play in mid-November, the Brown and Gold have not allowed an opponent to score on the man advantage. In total, Western Michigan has gone nine games without allowing a power-play goal, killing off its last 27 penalties.
RICHTER AWARD STANDOUTS
The Mike Richter Award Watch List was released on Wednesday afternoon, headlined by a pair of Western Michigan standouts.
Cameron Rowe and
Hampton Slukynsky both made the initial list, making WMU one of just three teams with multiple selections.
Rowe and Slukynsky are two of the best goaltenders in the nation, splitting time in net this season. Slukynsky holds a 3-3-1 overall record and is fourth in the nation in save percentage (.941) and ninth in goals against average (1.84).
Rowe is 10-1-0 this season, leading the nation in win percentage. Along with that, he is eighth in the country in GAA (1.82) and 13th in save percentage (.931). He is the active NCAA leader in career wins with 64.
HEATING UP
Western Michigan has been red hot over the last few weeks, thanks in large part to a pair of newcomers.
Liam Valente transferred in from Providence, while
Zach Nehring is in his freshman year with the program.
Valente has been a weapon on offense, totaling 14 points on seven goals and seven assists in 18 games. He's also been strong on the man advantage, leading the team with four power-play goals.
Valente has a point in three of his last four games, including a four-point weekend against Alaska Anchorage on Jan. 3-4.
Nehring is the top rookie on the team, entering the weekend series with 12 points on five goals and seven assists. He is currently riding a five-game point streak.
In that stretch, the Minot, N.D. native has two goals and four assists. Along with his offensive talent, Nehring is a strong defender as well. In 18 games this season, he has blocked 15 shots to lead all forwards on the team.
DYNAMIC DUO
WMU has gotten excellent play from its top defensive pair, which includes junior
Samuel Sjolund and freshman
Joona Väisänen. Sjolund is from Sweden, while Väisänen is from Finland.
The European defensemen have been elite two-way players, combining to produce 19 points on one goal and 18 assists. Defensively, they have blocked 31 shots. They are a combined +7 through 18 games.
The duo also plays on the power play and penalty kill, spearheading a pair of strong units. WMU has scored 11 power-play goals, while the PK group has allowed just four pucks to find the back of the net.
Of the team's 11 power-play goals, 10 have an assist from Sjolund or Väisänen. They are the team's leading point producers among defensemen this season.
SCOUTING THE FIGHTING HAWKS
North Dakota has won five of its last six games and sits in a three-way tie for first place in the NCHC alongside WMU and Arizona State. The Fighting Hawks are 7-3-0 in NCHC play.
UND leads the all-time series, 30-12-1. However, the two teams have split the last four games. In those four games, each team has combined to score 14 goals.
The Fighting Hawks have been led by Sacha Boisvert, who has 18 points on nine goals and nine assists. Behind him, Abram Wiebe and Jake Livanavage each have 16 points.
In net, T.J. Semptimphelter and Hobie Hedquist have split time. Semptimphelter has started 16 games, owning a 2.66 goals against average and .901 save percentage. Hedquist has a 2.37 GAA and .901 save percentage in five starts.
CONSISTENCY IS KEY
Since the start of the 2021-22 season Western Michigan has been consistently among the top teams in the nation, and the polls reflect that. WMU has made three straight NCAA Tournaments and currently sits at No. 4 in the nation.
The Broncos have been ranked in the top-20 since Oct. 11, 2021.
