KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Western Michigan returns home to square off with Miami this weekend. Friday's series opener against the RedHawks is set for 7 PM at Lawson Arena. 

LAST TIME OUT
The Broncos collected a sweep of North Dakota, picking up a 3-2 victory in overtime on Jan. 17 before earning a 5-1 win the next night. Alex Bump delivered four goals and five points in the series. 

AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
Western Michigan's trio of Alex Bump, Owen Michaels and Tim Washe headlined the list of Hobey Baker Award nominees, which were announced on Wednesday. 

Bump is the team's scoring leader, sitting with 20 points on nine goals and 11 assists. He is on a four-game point streak and has at least one point in eight of his last 10 games. The Philadelphia Flyers draft pick had five points at North Dakota last weekend. 

Michaels leads the team in goals with 10 through 20 games. He has also chipped in six assists for a total of 16 points. Good things tend to happen when he's on the ice, as he boasts at team-leading +16 rating. He's also blocked 14 shots this season. 

Washe is the team's captain, having one of the best seasons of his career. He has produced eight goals and seven assists. The veteran center has gotten it done on both ends, scoring five game-winning goals, while blocking 16 shots. He is +11 through 20 games. 

LEANING ON LIAM
WMU has been on a hot streak over the last month, getting strong play from junior forward Liam Valente in that stretch. 

The Providence transfer has scored a goal in four straight games and five of the last six. In that six-game stretch, Valente has seven points. 

Valente's production has led to success, as the Broncos are 4-0-0 in January, outscoring opponents by a total of 17-6. 

He's having a career junior season, sitting with 16 points on nine goals and seven assists through 20 games. His nine goals and 16 points are both career highs. He is one assist shy of matching his career-best mark. Along with that, he's produced a +4 rating, which is also the best of his college career. 

SPECIAL TEAMS SUCCESS
Western Michigan's special teams have been a strong point throughout the season. Entering the weekend, WMU's penalty kill is the best in the nation at 92.2 percent, while the power play is fifth at 27.5 percent. 

The Broncos have allowed just four power-play goals all season, with the last one coming back on Nov. 22. Since then, WMU has gone 11 straight games without allowing an opponent to score on the man advantage. The Brown and Gold have killed off 31 consecutive penalties. 

The power play has started to heat up over the last few weeks, as the Broncos have scored on the man advantage in six straight games. In that six-game stretch, Western Michigan is 8-for-15 on the power play, which is good for 53.3 percent. 

The Broncos were exceptional in a sweep over North Dakota last weekend, going 3-for-4 on the man advantage, while holding the Fighting Hawks scoreless on four power-play attempts. 

SOME OF THE NCHC'S BEST
Thanks to some big performances in a sweep of North Dakota last weekend, Alex Bump and Cameron Rowe earned NCHC weekly awards. 

Bump was named the league's Forward of the Week after collecting five points on four goals and one assist. The Prior Lake, Minn. native tallied two goals in each game, including the game-winning goal on Friday. 

Rowe was selected as the NCHC Goaltender of the Week after helping WMU to a series-opening victory. The Wilmette, Ill. native stopped 29 shots, including an incredible pad save to keep the game tied in the second period. Rowe's win was his 11th of the season. He leads the NCAA in win percentage heading into this weekend. 

GETTING IT DONE ON BOTH ENDS
The Broncos have been sensational on both ends of the ice this season, sitting in the top-seven nationally in both scoring offense and scoring defense. WMU is one of three teams to be in the top seven in both categories (Michigan State and Denver). 

Western Michigan is allowing 1.85 goals per game, while scoring 3.40. A big reason for that has been WMU's ability to put pucks on net, while getting in front of scoring opportunities for opponents. 

The Brown and Gold are fifth in the nation in shots per game. On the flip side, Western Michigan blocks nearly 12.50 shots per game, which is second in the NCHC. Along with that, WMU's power play and penalty killing units are both top-five in the nation. 

SCOUTING THE REDHAWKS
Miami has struggled in 2024-25, carrying a 3-17-2 overall record and 0-12-0 NCHC mark into this weekend's action. The RedHawks haven't won a game since Oct. 26 against Lindenwood. They have lost 14 straight games.

WMU leads the all-time series 84-71-13, which includes 46 victories at home. It has been all Broncos over the last several years, as the Brown and Gold hold a 27-6-2 mark in the last 35 meetings. More recently, Western Michigan is 13-1-1 over the last 15 matchups. 

The RedHawks have four players in double figures, with Johnny Waldron leading the way at 14 points this season. He has four goals and 10 assists. Aiding the offensive attack have been Colby Ambrosio and Matt Choupani, who have combined for 25 points on nine goals 16 assists. 

In net, Bruno Bruveris and Ethan Dahlmeir have split time. Bruveris has started 12 games, boasting a 3.91 goals against average and .873 save percentage. He holds a 2-10-1 overall record. Dahlmeir is 1-5-1 with a 3.45 GAA and .881 save percentage in eight 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. 3 in the nation. 

The Broncos have been ranked in the top-20 since Oct. 11, 2021.