MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Wildcats got back to winning ways in impressive fashion, downing Alaska Anchorage 9-1 on Friday. 

NMU got two goals from AJ Vanderbeck, Kristof Papp, and Vincent de Mey. Mikey Colella, David Keefer, and Alex Frye also scored. After a goal in the 1st, the ofense erupted for four goals in each of the 2nd and 3rd periods.

Several 'Cats hit career single-game highs including Kristof Papp with two goals and three points, Vanderbeck tying his single-game best with four points, and Funk and Jungels each getting a pair of helpers for personal bests.  


How it Happened
1st Period
UAA was whistled for a hook 1:27 into the game, but the Seawolves were able to fend off being a man down early. Soon after, they went right back to the box and faced being short a skater. Again, Anchorage fought it off. 

The Wildcats proceeded to put together a successful penalty kill of their own with 12:04 left in the opening period. 

After steady play for over five minutes, Frye was sent to the box at the 6:15 mark. The Wildcats once again got through a man-down unscathed. 

With 3:32 left, Colby Enns dumped a pass to Artem Shlaine who sent it in front the of net and AJ Vanderbeck took care of the rest for a 1-0 lead. 

That 1-0 lead held after 20 minutes. NMU outshot UAA 10-8 in the period. 


2nd Period
At 13:21, the Seawolves received a 5-minute major call. Kristof Papp wasted no time, sniping the top shelf less than a minute into the man advantage for a 2-0 Wildcat edge. 

Papp continued his surge, scoring again less than two minutes later off a rebound. Alex Frye and AJ Vanderbeck assisted. Another forty seconds passed when AJ Vanderbeck added his 2nd of the night. Josh Zinger assisted as NMU scored three times in a 2:26 span.

With 1:27 left, Reilly Funk placed a beautiful pass in front of the net and Vincent de Mey lit the lamp for a 5-0 lead. Jett Jungels also added a helper. 

NMU led in shots 23-12 after the 2nd.  


3rd Period
Alex Frye sizzled the back of the net 3:47 into the period as NMU stretched the lead to 6-0. Papp and Larson got the apples. 

Former Wildcat Connor Marritt prevented the shutout, scoring for the Seawolves 6:23 into the 3rd. NMU remained up 6-1. 

The Wildcats got late goals from David Keefer, Mikey Colella, and Vincent de Mey as NMU cruised to the finish line in a 9-1 win. 


Postgame Notes

• AJ Vanderbeck tallied his 5th and 6th goal of the season to lead the country. 
• Kristof Papp recorded his first multi-goal game in his career. 
• Vincent de Mey scored twice for the 'Cats.
• Jett Jungels and Reilly Funk each assisted twice, hitting single-game career highs in assists and points.
• NMU outshot UAA 33-18. 
• Beni Halasz stopped 17 shots in net. 

Goal Summary
1st Period
16:28 - AJ Vanderbeck (NMU, 1-0) - Assisted by Artem Shlaine and Colby Enns

2nd Period
7:06 - Kristof Papp (NMU PP, 2-0) - Assisted by Josh Zinger and AJ Vanderbeck
8:52 - Kristof Papp (NMU PP, 3-0) - Assisted by Alex Frye and AJ Vanderbeck
9:32 - AJ Vanderbeck (NMU PP, 4-0) - Assisted by Josh Zinger
18:33 - Vincent de Mey (NMU, 5-0) - Assisted by Reilly Funk and Jett Jungels

3rd Period
3:47 - Alex Frye (NMU, 6-0) - Assisted by Kristof Papp and Joey Larson
6:23 - Connor Marritt (UAA, 6-1) - Assisted by Derek Hamelin and Maximilon Helgeson
15:30 - David Keefer (NMU, 7-1) - Assisted by Josh Zinger
17:23 - Mikey Colella (NMU, 8-1) - Assisted by Andre Ghantous
17:53 - Vincent de Mey (NMU, 9-1) - Assisted by Reilly Funk and Jett Jungels


Up Next
The Wildcats are back on the ice tomorrow night as they wrap up their series with the Seawolves. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:07 p.m.