Broncos make historic trip to CCHA semifinals, play Miami

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's hockey team will take on Miami University at 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 16, at Joe Louis Arena in a Central Collegiate Hockey Association tournament semifinal contest.

Tickets can be purchased by calling (888) 496-8849 or through wmubroncos.com.

The Broncos advanced to the semifinals with a two-game sweep of Lake Super State in a best-of-three series at WMU's Lawson Ice Arena, Friday and Saturday, March 9-10.

For the first time in team history, WMU is advancing to the CCHA semifinals for the second year in a row. Last year, the Broncos defeated the University of Michigan in the semifinals and lost to Miami in the championship contest. They could play both teams again this year.

Bowling Green State upset regular season champion Ferris State in overtime Sunday to win its best-of-three quarterfinals series and will take on Michigan in the semifinals. The winner of that contest will meet the winner of the WMU-Miami semifinal match for the championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament.

The Broncos are 1-10-2 over the past four seasons against Miami, including a pair of losses in Oxford, Ohio, Jan. 20-21.

In the Pairwise national rankings, WMU (19-13-6) is tied at No. 14 with Michigan State. With a victory over Miami, (23-13-2) and tied at No. 4 with Boston University, the Broncos would be virtually assured of at least an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. If the Broncos lose to Miami, their chances of advancing to the NCAA tourney for the second straight year would be greatly diminished.

The CCHA championship contest is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17. The losing teams in the semifinals will meet at 3:30 p.m. Saturday to determine third place in the tournament.

Visit wmubroncos.com for more details.