Two unbeaten, top-five teams meet Friday night in Ann Arbor, where top-ranked Michigan (6-0) hosts No. 5 Western Michigan (4-0) at Yost Ice Arena. Puck drop is 7 p.m., and the one-game, nonconference matchup streams on B1G+.

The best offense against the stingiest defense

Michigan leads the country with six goals per game and has outscored opponents 36-12. The Wolverines are 6-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history, and they arrive off a road sweep of defending national champion Denver, which earned them College Hockey News’ Team of the Week honor and the No. 1 ranking.

Senior Jayden Perron leads the nation with 15 points, including nine goals, and carries a 12-game point streak and an eight-game goal streak. Junior Michael Hage reached 100 career points last weekend and leads the country with 11 assists, and sophomore Cole McKinney has five goals. In goal, sophomore Jack Ivankovic made 60 saves at Denver and was named the Big Ten’s First Star of the Week.

Western Michigan has been even more lopsided. The Broncos have outscored opponents 21-2, sweeping Ferris State 6-0 and 5-1 before beating Notre Dame 6-1 at home and 4-0 in South Bend last weekend. Goaltender Quentin Miller allowed one goal against the Irish, and freshman Adam Benák, with two goals and an assist in that series, was named NCHC Rookie of the Week for the second straight week. Michigan’s scoring margin ranks second nationally, behind only Western Michigan’s.

An old rivalry, a big night

This is the 127th meeting between the former CCHA rivals. Michigan leads the series 78-38-10, and the teams split their most recent home-and-home matchups in 2024 and 2025. Michigan will also mark the 30th anniversary of its 1996 national championship team, with former players returning to Yost.

The Broncos return home Saturday for a 6 p.m. exhibition against Wisconsin at Lawson Arena. Michigan’s next games are Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Ohio State.

How to watch

• When: Friday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m.
• Where: Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor
• Stream: B1G+
• Radio: Bronco Media Network (Western Michigan); MGoBlue audio (Michigan)

Sources

• Michigan Athletics: Top-Five Showdown to Hit Yost Friday Night as U-M Welcomes Western Michigan
• Western Michigan Athletics: 2026-27 men’s ice hockey schedule
• The Hockey News: Western Michigan’s sweep over Notre Dame showed what makes them elite
• College Hockey News: Team of the Week: Michigan
• College Hockey Inc.: Men’s weekly schedule