Western Michigan and LIU meet again Friday at 7 p.m. at Lawson Arena in Kalamazoo, closing a two-game nonconference series and the Broncos’ final tune-up before NCHC play begins next weekend at North Dakota. The game streams on NCHC.TV, with radio on WKZO, and it is a Fan Friday at Lawson, which is hosting Bronco hockey for the final season.
Where things stand
Western Michigan, ranked No. 6 and No. 5 in the national polls, is 5-1-0 after beating LIU 10-2 on Thursday. William Whitelaw scored four goals and Joona Väisänen had a hat trick from the blue line, making them the first teammates in NCHC history to record hat tricks in the same game. The Broncos outshot LIU 56-22, and Quentin Miller made 20 saves. Recap: Western Michigan Game Recap: vs. LIU (Oct. 29).
The Broncos opened the season by sweeping Ferris State (6-0, 5-1) and Notre Dame (6-1, 4-0), and their only loss came on a buzzer-beater in a 3-2 game at top-ranked Michigan on Oct. 23. LIU is 2-6-0 and playing Western Michigan for the first time this week.
Players to watch
Whitelaw has seven goals and 12 points, both among the national leaders, and has a six-game point streak. His four-goal night tied the NCHC single-game record. Väisänen has five goals and 11 points, second nationally among defensemen. Tommy Lafrenière had three assists Thursday, and Ty Henricks, Garrett Szydlowski, and Edison Engle, who scored his first career goal, also found the net.
What’s next
Western Michigan opens its NCHC schedule Nov. 6-7 at No. 8 North Dakota, then returns to Lawson to host Colorado College Nov. 13-14.
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