Box Score BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – Even though the Northern Michigan University hockey team was outshot 51-21 Saturday night at Ferris State the Wildcats only cared about what was on the scoreboard. Two first-period goals by Justin Florek propelled NMU to a 4-0 win over the Bulldogs. The 'Cats picked up five of a possible six points on the weekend.
NMU improves to 12-10-8 overall on the season and 8-8-6-3 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). Ferris State falls to 17-9-4 and 11-7-4-3 respectively.
Florek opened up the scoring for the 'Cats with a power-play goal at 6:26 for his sixth of the season. Greger Hanson and Jared Brown assisted on the goal. He then added a shorthanded goal about three minutes later (9:39), for his seventh of the 2009-10 campaign, for the 2-0 lead. The shorthanded goal was the 'Cats fourth on the season as they had a shortie in each game this weekend. Florek's second goal of the night was unassisted.
Mark Olver made the score 3-0 with his 15th goal of the season at 10:04 of the second period. Kyle Follmer assisted on the goal. NMU's final score of the night (4-0) came off the stick of Ray Kaunisto at 4:43 of the third period for his 12th of the season. Assisting on the goal were Tyler Gron and Hanson.
Brian Stewart picked up the shutout win with a career-high save count (51) for his third shutout of the season and ninth of his career. Pat Nagle for the Bulldogs registered 17 saves. For the second night in a row the NMU penalty kill unit did allow a power-play goal as the 'Cats were a perfect 9-9 on the penalty kill. NMU was 1-5 with the extra skater.
NMU comes home next week for a series against the Western Michigan Broncos. The puck will drop each night (Feb. 12-13) at 7:35 p.m.
