West Michigan community rallies behind WMU hockey team seeking first national championship
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Western Michigan Broncos hockey team took down the Denver University Pioneers in a double overtime thriller on Thursday evening to reach its first-ever national championship game.
The West Michigan community is rallying around the Broncos, excited for them to potentially bring home the trophy.
Lou Nisker, former Kalamazoo Wings player and owner of Nisker's Grill and Slap Shot Hockey Bar, has loved seeing the support from the community for WMU.
He told News Channel 3 his bar and restaurant has been packed for Broncos games.
"Now they're in the finals, it's just been like a madhouse in here," Nisker said. "Yesterday it was full capacity, and everybody was so excited that Western is doing so well."
Students on campus at WMU are feeling the excitement, too.
There are signs across Kalamazoo supporting the team and wishing it good luck.
"Everyone just really supports the hockey team," Het Shah, a WMU freshman, said. "If you go anywhere in the student center, there's posters everywhere."
The Spirit Shoppe, an apparel store just off campus, got a new shipment of Bronco hockey gear that they said is quickly flying off shelves.
Nisker said this run of success is putting WMU on the map in the sports world.
"It's on the map, but I think a lot of players from other areas and throughout the country will want to play for the Western Broncos," Nisker said.
The Broncos take on the top-seeded Boston University Terriers in the NCAA National Championship Game at 7:30 EST on Saturday.
