The Michigan hockey team has put together quite a streak since the last time it faced Western Michigan at Yost Ice Arena.
The Wolverines were blown out at home by the Broncos, 7-2, in Michigan's second game last season. Since then, the Wolverines are 19-0-1 at Yost and have trailed their opponents for a total of 15 seconds during the unbeaten streak.
Tonight at 7, an inexperienced Western Michigan (3-4-1 CCHA, 6-5-1 overall) team, comes into Yost trying to halt the first-ranked Wolverines (6-1-1, 13-1-1) who continue to gain momentum.
After taking four-of-four from nonconference foes, including victories over Minnesota and Wisconsin this past weekend, the Wolverines return to league play ranked No. 1 in the country, despite trailing Lake Superior, Michigan State and Miami (Ohio) in the CCHA standings.
"We've got something to prove in this league," Michigan coach Red Berenson said.
"How can you be a No. 1 team in the country and be fourth place in your league?"
The Broncos, who split a series with Providence this past weekend, are sixth in the conference with seven points, compared to the Wolverines' 13 points and first place Lake Superior's 18 points.
Western Michigan is not nearly the same team that defeated the Wolverines in Yost last season.
Western Michigan lost seven forwards to graduation, including its four top scorers from last season.
The Broncos also suffered an unexpected loss when would-be junior goaltender Marc Magliarditi jumped ship to return to junior hockey.
"Last year we had seven seniors and outstanding goaltending," Western Michigan coach Bill Wilkinson said.
"Lack of scoring (has been a problem this season), but I don't know that we can score more than we have."
Sophomore Matt Barnes has seen most of the time in net this season and is expected to start tonight. In 10 games, Barnes has a 3.28 goals-against average.
On offense, Western is led by senior Justin Cardwell who has a team high 11 goals. Sophomore Mike Melas tops the Broncos with 10 assists. Melas and sophomore Joe Corvo each have five goals thus far.
The Broncos lead the league with a .327 power play percentage (18-for-55).
The Wolverines look to continue their own power-play success tonight. On Saturday, the Wolverines converted on four-of-seven man-advantages in their 8-4 victory over Wisconsin.
While Michigan junior Matt Herr continues to produce, it is senior center Brendan Morrison who appears to be returning to the form that made him a preseason favorite for the Hobey Baker award.
Morrison earned CCHA Offensive Player of the Week with two goals, including an overtime winner against Minnesota on Friday, and three assists this past weekend.
The Wolverines will be without defenseman Bubba Berenzweig tonight and for Saturday's game at Ferris State.
Berenson said he is giving Berenzweig the time off to concentrate on his academics.
On the injury front, the Wolverines are basically healthy with the exception of sophomore Greg Crozier.
He continues to recover from fracturing the radius and ulna in his left forearm against Bowling Green on Nov. 9.
Freshman Andrew Merrick will play with a cast on his right wrist.
Berenson said that Merrick does not have a serious injury, and that the cast is just precautionary.
JONATHAN LURIE/Special to the Daily
Michigan right wing Bill Muckalt, along with the rest of the Wolverines, will look for revenge against Western Michigan tonight. The Broncos defeated Michigan at Yost Ice Arena in Michigan's second game last season. Since then, the Wolverines have gone 19-0-1 at Yost.