Wolverines’ unbeaten streak continues as they advance to The Joe

It was just weeks ago that the Wolverines were battling for home ice in the first round of the CCHA playoffs – a situation the Maize and Blue have rarely found themselves in.

Now, they are off to Joe Louis Arena.

The Wolverines beat the Western Michigan Broncos 5-1 Saturday night to sweep their CCHA quarterfinal series in Kalamazoo.

The win improves the Wolverines’ unbeaten streak to eight games, something that seemed highly unlikely at earlier points this season.

Senior Kevin Lynch scored just 1:08 into Saturday’s contest, and Michigan never looked back. While Western Michigan answered back later in the first period – on a point shot from Garrett Haar – the Wolverines posted four goals in the second to take command of the game, and the series.

Andrew Sinelli scored 2:53 into the middle frame. Alex Guptill and Derek DeBlois scored between the 10 and 11-minute marks. Then Guptill added another with 18 seconds left in the period.

The Wolverines didn’t score any more goals in the third period. They didn’t need to, because they held the Broncos off the scoresheet, as well.

Now, the Wolverines will wait to see what happens in the other CCHA quarterfinals. Depending on what happens with the Michigan State/Miami and the Notre Dame/Bowling Green series, they may be the lowest seed entering the final weekend at The Joe.

But it’s hard to imagine that any team would view the Wolverines as the lowest seed at this point. Since Feb. 1, they have:

And the Wolverines have quite the streak on the line, one that they can continue only if they win the final CCHA Tournament title. The club has made 22 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, and they will have to win out to make it 23 in a row.

A few months ago, it seemed out of the question.

Now? Well, they might just show up at Joe Louis Arena pegged as the favorites.