Countdown to Puck Drop: WMU's Challenging Schedule

With now just nine days remaining before the official start of the Divison I collegiate hockey season, we look to our ninth reason for fans to be excited for the upcoming hockey season.

The focus on today's countdown is the challenging schedule the Broncos face this season. WMU opens play on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. when they host Canadian collegiate hockey power Western Ontario for an exhibition play.

The regular season opens the following friday on Oct. 12 when WMU hosts St. Lawrence on the weekend for a pair of games. The Broncos will have their hands full with the Saints, who are led by junior forward Greg Carey. Carey totalled 37 points during his sophomore campaign and actually netted a hat trick against the Broncos in 2010 during a 3-3 tie at St. Lawrence. WMU hosts Canisius on Oct. 19 and 20 to wrap up their first four home games of the year. The Golden Griffins were a young team last year with their top four scorers all being sophomores. They are led by junior forwards Kyle Gibbons and Taylor Law who combined for 52 points last season and 22 goals.

The Broncos have a bye week before they start the CCHA gauntlet. WMU opens up conference play on the road against Notre Dame with Friday/Sunday series. WMU's conference home-opener is on Nov. 9 against Bowling Green.

WMU hosts Northern Michigan, Ferris State, Lake Superior State, Michigan, Miami and Notre Dame throughout the tough conference schedule. The Broncos play Michigan, Bowling Green, Ferris State and Notre Dame four times this season, splitting two home and two away games.

The Brown & Gold and Maize and Blue could actually play five times this season with the Broncos appearing in the Great Lakes Invitational for the first time since 1985. WMU plays Michigan State in the first game and will play the winner of the Michigan and Michigan Tech game.

WMU also faces tough CCHA road tests at Alaska, Ohio State and Michigan State as well.