Western Michigan took the lineal NCAA Hockey belt on November 21, 2025, beating Omaha 7–2 on the road. It is reign 158 in the belt's history and the 10th for the program.
Omaha had held it since November 15, 2025: 6 days and 0 defenses.
Western Michigan last held the belt in 2025–26, 20 days before this one; that reign lasted 8 days with 1 defense.
The reign lasted 14 days and 1 defense, ending December 5, 2025 against Minnesota Duluth.