FARGO, N.D. -- Western Michigan is set to square off with UMass on Saturday night at Scheels Arena. Puck drop is set for 6:30 PM ET, with the winner moving on to the Frozen Four in St. Louis, Mo. It would be the Brown and Gold's first Frozen Four appearance in program history. 

LAST TIME OUT
The Broncos collected their second NCAA Tournament win in program history by defeating Minnesota State, 2-1, in double overtime on Thursday night. Grant Slukynsky provided the game-winning goal in the extra session, while Hampton Slukynsky saved 28 shots in net to earn his 16th win of the season. 

HOW WE GOT HERE
WMU has been the most consistent team in the nation, leading the NCAA with 31 wins. Western Michigan is currently on a seven-game winning streak.

The Broncos claimed both the NCHC regular season (Penrose Cup) and tournament (NCHC Frozen Faceoff) titles, becoming the second team in league history to accomplish that feat. The Brown and Gold tied the NCHC record with 19 wins during conference play. 

Western Michigan is making its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance all-time. The Broncos have made the last four tournaments, which is the longest streak in program history. 

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION
The Broncos have been lighting up the score sheet, boasting the second best offense in the nation. WMU scores 4.00 goals per game and is one of two teams nationally at that mark.

That number has taken off since the calendar turned to 2025, as the Brown and Gold have scored 105 goals for an average of 4.57 per game. WMU has scored four goals or more in all but one game during its current seven-game winning streak. 

It's been offense by committee, as each of WMU's four forward lines have produced at various points this season. All four of Western Michigan's lines have 35 points or more, with the trio Alex Bump, Matteo Costantini and Owen Michaels leading the way with 100.

BUMP IT UP
Sophomore forward Alex Bump has been on a tear, scoring a goal in four of his last five games, while recording a point in 20 of his last 23 outings. During WMU's current seven-game win streak, he has produced 11 points on seven goals and four assists.

The NCHC Forward of the Year and unanimous First Team All-NCHC selection recorded three goals and one assist at last weekend's NCHC Frozen Faceoff. That led to him being named the Tournament MVP. 

He's up to 47 points on 23 goals and 24 assists this season. WMU hasn't had a player reach 50 points since Brent Walton in 2004-05. 

WASHE'S WINNING WAYS
Tim Washe is making history on the ice for WMU this season, serving as the captain for one of the best teams in program history. 

The Clarkston, Mich. native broke the program's single-season record for game-winning goals on March 15 in a 6-2 victory over St. Cloud State. He has seven this season and 10 for his career. He is two away from matching the career mark set by Ethen Frank. 

Additionally, when Washe takes the ice on Saturday night, he will break the program record for most games played in a Bronco uniform. He is set to skate in his 169th career game, surpassing Brian Tulik who played for the Brown and Gold from 1987-92. 

SCOUTING THE MINUTEMEN
UMass stunned Minnesota in overtime on Thursday night, earning its 21st win of the season. The Minutemen have just one loss in their last nine games. 

WMU and UMass have only met twice, with both meetings coming back in 1998. The two teams split a series in Kalamazoo, and both teams scored four goals in the series. 

Cole O'Hara leads the Minutemen on offense, boasting an impressive 51 points on 22 goals and 29 assists. Aydar Suniev has also been strong, as he has 38 points on 20 goals and 18 assists. He scored the game-winning goal against Minnesota on Thursday night. 

In net, Michael Hrbal has started nearly every game, entering the matchup with a 19-11-5 record, 2.38 goals against average and .924 save percentage. He was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the second round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. 

ALL-TIME NCAA TOURNAMENT RESULTS
• 1986 vs. Harvard (Cambridge, Mass.) L, 2-4, 2-7
• 1993 vs. Wisconsin (Albany, N.Y.) L, 3-6
• 1996 vs. Clarkson (Albany, N.Y.) L, 1-6
• 2011 vs. Denver (Green Bay, Wis.) L, 2-3 2OT
• 2012 vs. North Dakota (St. Paul, Minn.) L, 1-3
• 2017 vs. Air Force (Providence, R.I.) L, 4-5
• 2022 vs. Northeastern (Worcester, Mass.) W, 2-1, OT
• 2022 vs. Minnesota (Worcester, Mass.) L, 0-3
• 2023 vs. Boston University (Manchester, NH) L, 1-5
• 2024 vs. Michigan State (Maryland Heights, Mo.) L, 4-5, OT
• 2025 vs. Minnesota State (Fargo, N.D.) W, 2-1, 2OT
• 2025 vs. UMASS (Fargo, N.D.) TBD

ALL-TIME NCAA POINTS LEADER
• 3 - Troy Thrun 2 gp, 1-2-3 (1986)
• Several tied at 2 points (Current Players: Alex Bump, 1-1-2 and Liam Valente, 1-1-2)

ALL-TIME NCAA GOALS LEADER
• 2 - Dan Dorion (1986), Frederick Tiffels (2017)

SINGLE GAME NCAA GOALS LEADER
• Dan Dorion - 2 vs. Harvard, 3/22/1986
• Frederick Tiffels - 2 vs. Air Force, 3/24/2017

SINGLE GAME NCAA ASSISTS LEADER
• Matheson Iacopelli - 2 vs. Air Force, 3/24/2017

MOST SAVES IN A NCAA TOURNAMENT GAME
• Jerry Kuhn - 35 vs. Denver, 3/18/2011

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.