Broncos Clinch Home Ice For Playoff Opener With Friday Night Win

A 5-2 Friday night victory over Miami has clinched home games for the Western Michigan Broncos in the first round of the NCHC playoffs, which start next weekend. The only thing yet to be determined is who the opponent will be.

Depending on Saturday results, next weekend's opponent at Lawson Arena will be either former national champs St. Cloud State or Nebraska-Omaha. It comes down to a classic case of "pick your poison", as St. Cloud State is higher in the standings and has the better pedigree, but Omaha knocked off league leader North Dakota on Friday night. A Western win and Denver loss Saturday night would put the Broncos into third place.

The Friday night game against Miami was never really close as the Broncos opened the game with two quick goals after just four minutes of play, and then kept building on it. Miami got a power play goal in the first to make the game 2-1, but then two second period goals put the game away for Western.

The same two teams face off again Saturday night to wrap up the regular season, with some scoreboard watching going on, too.