OHHHH WE'RE HALFWAY THERE! THE WARHOUNDS ARE RIGHT IN THE FIGHT

At the halfway point of the APHL season, one thing is crystal clear in the Western Division — the Northern Michigan Warhounds are exactly where they want to be: in the hunt.

Sitting in 3rd place with a 7–6 record and 14 points through 13 games, the Warhounds are positioned just two points out of second place and within striking distance of the division lead. In a division where every game matters and separation is razor thin, Northern Michigan has built real momentum at the most important time of the season.

After navigating early growing pains, the Warhounds have found their stride. Over their last ten games, Northern Michigan is 6–4, climbing the standings while tightening up defensively and showing one of the most balanced attacks in the division.

The numbers tell the story:

  • 71 goals for, nearly matching the top teams in the division

  • Only 67 goals against, giving the Warhounds a positive goal differential

  • A physical edge with 283 penalty minutes, showing this team isn’t backing down from anyone

But what the stats don’t fully capture is the identity this team is building.

Every night, the Warhounds play with pace, pressure, and purpose. They’ve turned their home rink into a difficult place to play, they’re learning how to close games, and they’ve shown the resilience needed for a long playoff push. This is a group that believes in each other — and more importantly, is learning how to win together.

The division remains tight at the top. Summit City may currently lead, and West Michigan holds second, but neither has pulled away. With the Warhounds sitting only a couple of strong weekends from the top of the standings, the second half of the season sets up as a true Western Division showdown.

"Our locker room is locked in. Our staff is locked in. Our fans are locked in. There’s an energy in this organization right now that’s impossible to ignore. When the pack is connected, dangerous things happen."
— Andrew Dibble

For Northern Michigan, the message is simple:
The work is paying off. The climb is real. And the pack is coming.

As the schedule turns toward the most important stretch of the year, the Warhounds aren’t chasing anyone — they’re closing the gap.

And the rest of the division can feel it.


Photocredit: RD Sports Photography