KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- After a week off, Western Michigan is back in action at Minnesota Duluth this weekend. WMU carries a seven-game winning streak into Friday's series opener, which is set for 8 PM ET at AMSOIL Arena. 

LAST TIME OUT
The Broncos handled Denver, securing a sweep to improve to 16-6-0 on the season. The Brown and Gold outscored the Pioneers 10-3 in the series. 

Owen Michaels paced the team with four points on two goals and two assists. He had a three-point outing, including the game-winning goal, in Saturday's game. Hampton Slukynsky made 70 saves in net, earning the win both nights. 

HOBEY HOPEFULS
Owen Michaels, Grant Slukynsky and Hampton Slukynsky were nominated for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, which was announced Wednesday afternoon. 

Michaels is the team's captain and has 17 points on seven goals and 10 assists this season. He is currently riding a four-game point streak. 

Grant Slukynsky has been Western Michigan's top player so far this season, leading the team in points (24) and assists (19). He is also an assistant captain for the Broncos. 

In net, Hampton Slukynsky has started to find his groove. He's won seven straight games and owns a 16-6-0 record on the season. Along with that, he boasts a 2.37 goals against average and .909 save percentage. 

POWER PLAY PRODUCTION
Despite a slow start to the season on the power play, WMU has started to hit its stride on the man advantage over the last few weeks. 

During their last 10 games, the Broncos are over 31 percent on the man advantage. Additionally, the Brown and Gold have scored on the power play in three straight games. 

Western Michigan is now over 20 percent on the power play this season, and Liam Valente leads the charge with five tallies on the man advantage. The Broncos have four players with two or more power-play goals this season. 

HAMMER TIME
Sophomore goaltender Hampton Slukynsky has taken his game to another level over the last few weeks, helping the Brown and Gold win seven games in a row and 11 of 12. 

During the current seven-game winning streak, the Warroad, Minn. native has produced two shutouts to go along with a 1.28 goals against average and .953 save percentage. In the last 12 games, He has a 1.75 GAA and .933 save percentage. That stretch includes a win over Minnesota Duluth. 

His recent hot streak has helped him improve his season numbers. He enters the weekend with a 16-6-0 record, 2.37 GAA and .909 save percentage. His three shutouts lead the NCHC.

OWEN-ING THE COMPETITION
Captain Owen Michaels has started to find his groove since returning from the holiday break. The Michigan native has nine points on five goals and four assists in that six-game stretch. He's at 17 points on seven goals and 10 assists through 22 games this season. 

Not only has he been scoring, but he's been winning draws as well. Michaels is one of the best in the nation at winning faceoffs, ranking sixth in the country with 267 total faceoffs won. 

Michaels was exceptional in his last time out, scoring four points, while winning 26 faceoffs in a series sweep at Denver. For his efforts, he was named the NCHC Forward of the Week on Jan. 13. 

ZACCH ATTACK
Pat Ferschweiler has been known for helping transfers take the next step in their career, and Zaccharya Wisdom is another success story. 

The Seattle Kraken draft pick produced 41 points on 18 goals and 23 assists over the last two seasons at Colorado College. With just under half a season to play in 2025-26, the Canadian winger has a career high 10 goals and is just five points away from a career-best mark. 

He's scored in just about every way possible this year, hitting the back of the net even strength, on the power play and shorthanded. His goal-scoring ability has allowed him to produce a team-leading +13 rating so far this season. 

He's been on a tear recently, scoring a point in each of his last six games. In that stretch, Wisdom has four goals and two assists. 

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Minnesota Duluth is one of the top teams in the nation, boasting a 17-7-0 overall record and 8-6-0 conference mark. The Bulldogs are currently third in the NCHC standings. 

UMD leads the all-time series, 29-21-3. However, the Broncos have taken four of the last five meetings. 

The Bulldogs are led by one of the best lines in college hockey, featuring Max Plante, Zam Plante and Jayson Shaugabay. The trio has combined for 103 points on 38 goals and 65 assists. 

In net, Adam Gajan has started 22 games, while Ethan Dahlmeir has taken the reigns in just two. Gajan boasts a 15-7-0 record to go along with a 2.12 goals against average and .911 save percentage. In limited work, Dahlmeir has a 3.10 GAA and .894 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. The Broncos have now made four straight NCAA Tournaments and sit at No. 3 in the national polls. The Broncos have been ranked in the top 20 since Oct. 11, 2021.