Main Story

No. 5 Western Michigan opens NCHC play with a two-game road series against No. 10 North Dakota on Nov. 6-7. The Broncos bring a 6-1 record, a high-powered offense and a five-game winning streak in conference openers; North Dakota enters on a three-game skid.

By the Numbers
  • Western Michigan averages 5.71 goals per game and has scored 40 goals.
  • William Whitelaw has 14 points in seven games; freshman Adam Benák has 13.
  • Western Michigan has gone 10-7-1 against North Dakota under coach Pat Ferschweiler.
  • North Dakota leads the all-time series, 32-17-1.
Yes, But

Western Michigan’s recent success against North Dakota contrasts with the Fighting Hawks’ all-time series lead. North Dakota also brings a strong power play, converting 33.3% of its chances, while the Broncos’ penalty kill has allowed just 2 goals on 24 attempts this season.

State of Play
  • Friday’s game starts at 8 p.m. ET; Saturday’s finale begins at 7 p.m. ET. Both games stream on NCHC.TV and air on the Bronco Radio Network.
  • The teams are the last NCHC programs to begin conference play.
  • Western Michigan is one win from its 950th in program history.
What’s Next

After the North Dakota series, Western Michigan returns to Lawson Arena for two games against Colorado College on Nov. 13-14. The 2026-27 season is Lawson’s final season as the Broncos’ home rink.

Bottom Line

The matchup tests whether Western Michigan’s elite scoring and recent edge over North Dakota can carry into conference play—against a team looking to reverse its slide and backed by a dangerous power play.