KALAMAZOO, Mich. – After a home-and-home split with rival Michigan, Western Michigan has maintained its ranking among the best in the nation.

The Broncos were able to check in at No. 3 in both the USCHO and USA Hockey polls this week. WMU earned one first-place vote in the USCHO rankings. 

Michigan State, Michigan, WMU, Penn State and Boston University were the top five in both polls. Only two points separated the Broncos and Wolverines in the USCHO poll, with the difference being three points in the USA Hockey rankings. 

NCHC wise, the Broncos were joined by Denver, North Dakota, Minnesota Duluth and Colorado College in the top 20. Miami, St. Cloud State, Arizona State and Omaha were receiving votes, helping the conference have all nine teams featured in the polls. 

The Brown and Gold will hit the road for the first conference series of the season. WMU will play at RV St. Cloud State on Friday and Saturday. The series opener is set for 8 PM ET at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.