No. 1 Michigan to Play Home-And-Home Series With No. 17 Western Michigan

» Michigan is ranked No. 1 in the USCHO and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls for the first time since 2011.
» The Wolverines lead the series against Western Michigan 73-35-10, with the series being split in 2018 and 2019.
» Michigan's power play is red-hot, converting on 50 percent of its chances to lead the nation.

• Complete Game Notes (PDF)

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The newly No. 1-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team (4-0-0) faces No. 17 Western Michigan (2-0-0) in a home-and-home series this Friday and Saturday (Oct. 22-23). The Wolverines will host the Broncos on Friday (Oct. 22) at 7:30 p.m. at Yost Ice Arena, then will head to Kalamazoo for a 7:05 p.m. puck drop at Lawson Arena on Saturday (Oct. 23). Friday's contest will be streamed live on B1G+, while Saturday's matchup will be streamed live on NCHC.tv.

Wolverine Bites

• U-M is ranked No. 1 in both the USCHO and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls for the first time since the 2011-12 season. The Wolverines received 45 of 50 possible first-place votes (988 points) in the USCHO poll. In the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine's Coaches Poll, Michigan was the unanimous No. 1.

• Two-time Big Ten First Star of the Week Brendan Brisson leads the team in scoring with five goals and three assists for eight points. He leads the nation in game-winning goals, notching three in Michigan's four games. He ranks fourth in the nation in points per game at 2.00. Linemate Thomas Bordeleau is one point back with two goals and five helpers. Defenseman Owen Power has five assists and one goal, while Kent Johnson is fourth in scoring with five points.

• Erik Portillo is 4-0 in goal with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. He made 55 saves last weekend against Minnesota Duluth and Minnesota State.

• Michigan faced off against Minnesota Duluth for the first time since the 2011 national championship, as well as last season's canceled NCAA tournament game. After falling behind in the first period, Luke Hughes netted a power-play goal to tie the game at 1 with less than one minute remaining in the opening frame. U-M scored the next four goals to earn a 5-1 win and set up an early-season showdown against No. 1 Minnesota State. On Saturday, the Wolverines scored twice at even strength in the third period to finish off a come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Mavericks and secure the Ice Breaker trophy.

• Michigan has the top-ranked power-play unit in the nation, converting on a torrid 50 percent of its opportunities. The Wolverines have tallied seven power-play goals on 14 chances. Brendan Brisson leads the way with three power-play goals.

• Michigan has the second ranked scoring offense, averaging 5.25 goals per game. Denver is first on the list, but has not played a ranked opponent yet this season. The Wolverines also are second in scoring margin, a difference of 3.25 goals per game.

Scouting the Broncos

• Despite representing the NCHC, Western Michigan University is a familiar opponent for Michigan after years spent as foes in the old CCHA. The new-look Broncos are led by head coach Pat Ferschweiler, in his first season after taking over for Andy Murray.

• In net, WMU is anchored by Brandon Bussi, who enters the year on a promising note after succumbing to an injury early last season. He has stopped all but three of the 41 shots he's faced this season for a .932 save percentage and 1.50 goals-against average. Bronco skaters are led by a deep group of returning forwards Ethen Frank, Drew Worrad, Josh Passolt, and Paul Washe, as well as standout defenseman Ronnie Attard.

Up Next

Thursday, Oct. 28 -- vs. Wisconsin (Yost Ice Arena), 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 29 -- vs. Wisconsin (Yost Ice Arena), 7:30 p.m.