KALAMAZOO, MI – Following a long day of travel, the Ooks arrived in Kalamazoo on Thursday night as they prepare to take on the #14 Western Michigan University Broncos. The game is a part of their annual border battle, where they host a Canadian post-secondary school each year.  

"We are excited for the opportunity to represent NAIT and play an elite division 1 NCAA hockey program at Western Michigan University in their annual border battle," said Ooks head coach Tim Fragle. "It will be a good test to help prepare us for the regular season on the ice as well and help us build team chemistry off the ice during the trip!"

This is one of several trips over the past few seasons where the Ooks have been invited down to play an NCAA school. Previous teams they have faced include Arizona State University, the University of Nebraska Omaha, and the University of Minnesota.

"These are the type of non-conference games that help attract student-athletes to our school and hockey program here at NAIT. It speaks to the strength of our hockey program when we get yearly invitations from strong Division 1 NCAA hockey programs and are looked at as a strong non-conference opponent to help prepare their programs for the regular season," said Fragle. "These trips also provide exposure for our institute on a global scale, along with displaying a high level of competition that ACAC men's hockey conference has to offer."

The team will practice Friday morning before taking to the ice in their final preseason game on Saturday at 7:05 pm.