UMD Men’s Hockey Ready for Tough Environment at Western Michigan

The Bulldogs are looking for their first win in Kalamazoo since November of 2022.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team is gearing up to play a team they have yet to see this season.

That would be the Western Michigan Broncos, who are five points ahead of UMD in the NCHC standings.

All-time, the series belongs to the Bulldogs as they have 23 victories compared to the Broncos’ 17.

But in recent years, Western Michigan has a hold on UMD, winning their last three matchups.

Regardless of the past, head coach Scott Sandelin says it’s always a tough environment playing at Lawson Arena in Kalamazoo.

“It’s a tough building to win in. Students are awesome there. It’s loud. Like I said, no matter every game I’ve played in there in my career. Even going back to way back. It just seems like the game is faster,” said Sandelin.

“It’s going to be an eye opening experience for me. I think it’s going to be really exciting. They play hard. They play fast. I’ve heard lots of great things. Lots of fun things about their atmosphere there. We have to be ready to go and we will be,” added freshman forward Braden Fischer.

The Bulldogs are looking for their first win in Kalamazoo since November of 2022. Puck drop is at 6 PM on Friday.