Western Michigan defeated North Dakota 6-4 on Friday night, before losing 4-3 in overtime on Saturday. The Friday night win was enough to clinch the NCHC regular season championship, the first conference regular season championship for WMU ever.
Western came in sixth in the preseason NCHC media poll. However, the Broncos opened the season 6-0-1. WMU continued its run, sweeping North Dakota amidst a five game win streak to start the second half of conference play.
With the Penrose in attendance, Western needed just three standings points to clinch the title and received all three necessary on night one.