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KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Western Michigan opens the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the Fargo Regional. WMU will square off with Minnesota State on Thursday, March 27 at Scheels Arena. This is the first ever meeting between the two programs.
LAST TIME OUT
The Broncos captured the program's first ever NCHC Frozen Faceoff Championship in thrilling fashion. The Brown and Gold downed North Dakota, 4-2, on Friday to advance to the title game. In the championship game, WMU came roaring back from a three-goal deficit to defeat Denver, 4-3, in double overtime. Alex Bump was named the Tournament MVP after notching three goals on the weekend.
HOW WE GOT HERE
WMU has been the most consistent team in the nation, leading the NCAA with 30 wins.
The Broncos claimed both the NCHC regular season (Penrose Cup) and tournament (NCHC Frozen Faceoff) titles, becoming the second team in league history to accomplish that feat. The Brown and Gold tied the NCHC record with 19 wins during conference play.
Western Michigan is making its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance all-time. The Broncos have made the last four tournaments, which is the longest streak in program history.
OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION
The Broncos have been lighting up the score sheet, boasting the best offense in the nation. WMU scores 4.05 goals per game and is one of two teams nationally averaging better than four GPG.
That number has taken off since the calendar turned to 2025, as the Brown and Gold have scored 103 goals for an average of 4.68 per game. WMU has scored four goals or more in every game during its current six-game winning streak.
It's been offense by committee, as each of WMU's four forward lines have produced at various points this season. All four of Western Michigan's lines have 35 points or more, with the trio Alex Bump, Matteo Costantini and Owen Michaels leading the way with 98.
BUMP IT UP
Sophomore forward Alex Bump has been on a tear, scoring a goal in each of his last four games, while recording a point in 20 of his last 22 games. During WMU's current six-game win streak, he has produced 10 points on seven goals and three assists.
The NCHC Forward of the Year and unanimous First Team All-NCHC selection recorded three goals at last weekend's NCHC Frozen Faceoff. That led to him being named the Tournament MVP.
He's up to 46 points on 23 goals and 23 assists this season. WMU hasn't had a player reach 50 points since Brent Walton in 2004-05.
WASHE'S WINNING WAYS
Tim Washe is making history on the ice for WMU this season, serving as the captain for one of the best teams in program history.
The Clarkston, Mich. native broke the program's single-season record for game-winning goals on March 15 in a 6-2 victory over St. Cloud State. He has seven this season and 10 for his career. He is two away from matching the career mark set by Ethen Frank.
Additionally, when Washe takes the ice on Thursday night, he will tie the program record for most games played in a Bronco uniform. He is set to play in his 168th career game, matching Brian Tulik who played for the Brown and Gold from 1987-92.
SCOUTING THE MAVERICKS
Minnesota State enters Thursday's matchup as the No. 1 scoring defense in the country and winners of five straight games. The Mavericks have an overall record of 27-8-3.
This will be the first meeting between the two programs, but MSU has a 3-1-0 record against NCHC opponents this season (1-1-0 vs. North Dakota, 2-0-0 vs. Omaha).
Rhett Pitlick and Josh Groll lead the way offensively, combining for 72 points on 27 goals and 45 assists. The Mavericks also block a lot of shots on the defensive side, with Mason Wheeler leading the way at 63.
In net, Minnesota State has one of the best goaltenders in the nation. Alex Tracy enters the game with a 26-8-3 record, 1.43 goals against average and .945 save percentage. He leads the nation in both GAA and save percentage and is second in wins.
ALL-TIME NCAA TOURNAMENT RESULTS
• 1986 vs. Harvard (Cambridge, Mass.) L, 2-4, 2-7
• 1993 vs. Wisconsin (Albany, N.Y.) L, 3-6
• 1996 vs. Clarkson (Albany, N.Y.) L, 1-6
• 2011 vs. Denver (Green Bay, Wis.) L, 2-3 2OT
• 2012 vs. North Dakota (St. Paul, Minn.) L, 1-3
• 2017 vs. Air Force (Providence, R.I.) L, 4-5
• 2022 vs. Northeastern (Worcester, Mass.) W, 2-1, OT
• 2022 vs. Minnesota (Worcester, Mass.) L, 0-3
• 2023 vs. Boston University (Manchester, NH) L, 1-5
• 2024 vs. Michigan State (Maryland Heights, Mo.) L, 4-5, OT
• 2025 vs. Minnesota State (Fargo, N.D.) TBD
ALL-TIME NCAA POINTS LEADER
• 3 - Troy Thrun 2 gp, 1-2-3 (1986)
• Several tied at 2 points (Most Recent: Alex Bump vs. Michigan State, 2024, 1-1-2)
ALL-TIME NCAA GOALS LEADER
• 2 - Dan Dorion (1986), Frederick Tiffels (2017)
SINGLE GAME NCAA GOALS LEADER
• Dan Dorion - 2 vs. Harvard, 3/22/1986
• Frederick Tiffels - 2 vs. Air Force, 3/24/2017
SINGLE GAME NCAA ASSISTS LEADER
• Matheson Iacopelli - 2 vs. Air Force, 3/24/2017
MOST SAVES IN A NCAA TOURNAMENT GAME
• Jerry Kuhn - 35 vs. Denver, 3/18/2011
CONSISTENCY IS KEY
Since the start of the 2021-22 season Western Michigan has been consistently among the top teams in the nation, and the polls reflect that. WMU has made three straight NCAA Tournaments and currently sits at No. 3 in the nation.
The Broncos have been ranked in the top 20 since Oct. 11, 2021.
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