A Milestone Matchup in Kalamazoo
The University of Wisconsin men's hockey team is set to travel to Kalamazoo for an exhibition game against Western Michigan on October 24, 2024, marking the first time the Badgers have played in the city since November 1981.
The Badgers enter the contest with a 10‑5‑1 lead in the all‑time series against the Broncos, a record that reflects decades of competitive play between the two programs.
Western Michigan arrives as the 2025 NCAA champions, while Wisconsin finished as the 2026 NCAA runners‑up, adding a layer of narrative intrigue to the exhibition.
The two squads previously met in the 2025 Kwik Trip Holiday Face‑Off at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, a game that previewed the upcoming Kalamazoo showdown.
Season Opener on the Horizon
Wisconsin will begin its 2026‑27 season just a few days later, hosting Robert Morris at the Kohl Center on October 2, setting the stage for a busy start to the campaign.