KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Western Michigan looks to secure its first ever Penrose Cup with North Dakota in town for the last home series of the regular season. WMU swept the Fighting Hawks earlier this season in Grand Forks. Friday's series opener is set for 7 PM EST. 

LAST TIME OUT
The Broncos split with Arizona State last weekend, which secured home ice for the NCHC Quarterfinals. Zach Nehring, Grant Slukynsky and Liam Valente all had three points in the series, while Hampton Slukynsky picked up his eighth win in net. 

CHASING HISTORY
WMU has a chance to make history on Friday night, as a regulation victory would secure the program's first ever Penrose Cup. 

Western Michigan has never won a regular season championship since moving to Division I in 1975-76. However, WMU has won two CCHA Tournament Championships (1986 & 2012). 

The Broncos lead the conference with 47 points, while Arizona State (44), Omaha (38) and North Dakota (37) round out the top four. The Brown and Gold can reach 59 total points by winning out. ASU and Omaha have max point totals of 50, while UND's max is 49.  

NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Over the years, Western Michigan has been known for having an advantage at home, and 2024-25 is no different. 

The Brown and Gold boast a 13-1-1 home record this season, which includes wins over Denver and Michigan. The Broncos are on an eight-game winning streak at Lawson Arena, which is currently the longest home winning streak in the country. 

WMU hasn't lost a home game in regulation this season, and the one tie came back in mid-November. The Broncos have outscored opponents 63-24 at home this season. 

HAMMER TIME
Freshman goaltender Hampton Slukynsky has been terrific throughout the 2024-25 season, carrying an 8-4-1 record, 1.67 goals against average and .939 save percentage into this weekend's series. 

Since the start of the new year, Slukynsky has taken his game to another level. He is 5-1-0 with a 1.48 GAA and .936 save percentage. He collected his first career shutout against Miami on Jan. 25. 

His impressive run culminated in a win over No. 12 Arizona State this past weekend, as he made a career high 33 saves in the victory. The Warroad, Minn. native has allowed two or fewer goals in nine of his 13 starts this season. 

Slukynsky is a Los Angeles Kings draft pick, and he won the gold medal with Team USA at the World Junior Championship earlier this year. He leads the NCHC and is third in the nation in both GAA and save percentage. 

POINT PRODUCERS
A trio of Broncos have been dominating throughout the month of February, producing a point per game or better. 

Alex Bump, Zach Nehring and Grant Slukynsky have combined for 24 points on eight goals and 16 assists between seven games in February. 

Slukynsky leads the way with 10 points on one goal and nine assists. He has also won 43 faceoffs. He has points in six of seven games in February, including three multi-point efforts. 

Bump and Nehring each have seven points this month. Bump is currently riding a five-game point streak, while Nehring has six points in his last three games. 

SCOUTING THE FIGHTING HAWKS
North Dakota has won four of its last five games, outscoring opponents 16-9 in that stretch. The Fighting Hawks swept Minnesota Duluth this past weekend. 

UND and WMU met earlier this season, with the Brown and Gold picking up a sweep in Grand Forks. The Broncos collected a 3-2 win in overtime on Jan. 17 and followed that up with a 5-1 win the next night. 

Jake Livanavage leads the team in scoring, sitting with 25 points on three goals and 22 assists. Aiding the attack has been Sacha Boisvert, who has 23 points on 12 goals and 11 assists. He is the team's leading goal scorer. 

In net, T.J. Semptimphelter has seen the most playing time, earning 23 starts. He holds a 14-8-2 record, 2.54 goals against average and .909 save percentage. Hobie Hedquist has started eight games, boasting a 3-4-0 record, 2.74 GAA and .897 save percentage. 

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.