MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University hockey program closes out 2020 with a matchup in Big Rapids, Michigan to take on Ferris State University, Dec. 30. The two teams will close out their home-and-home non-conference series at 3 p.m. ET.
The Wildcats open the New Year with a trying conference series against Minnesota State University-Mankato at home, Jan. 2-3, 2021. Puck drop is set for Saturday at 6 p.m. before a 4 p.m. start on Sunday to close out their regular season series.
This week's release is brought to you by RRN and 100.3 The Point.
WEEKLY NOTES
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AGAINST THE BULLDOGS |
All-time, the Wildcats lead the Bulldogs, 65-30-6, including a 25-13-4 record on the road.
The two teams last met to open the Wildcats' 2020-21 campaign in which NMU defeated the Bulldogs, 5-4. Three Wildcats scored their first collegiate points in the contest, including sophomore transfer Colby Enns (goal) and freshman duo Mack Byers and Noah Ganske (assists). Sophomore forward AJ Vanderbeck tallied the first multi-goal game of his career in the outing, netting two goals and posting an assist for three points. Senior Brandon Schultz also registered three points on the night off a goal and two assists.
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AGAINST THE MAVERICKS |
The Wildcats and the Mavericks have met just 23 times in their programs' storied history, with the Wildcats having won five of those meetings. All-time, MSU leads the series 14-5-3 but three of the Wildcats five wins have come inside the Berry Events Center.
The last time the two teams met in Marquette, the squads split their weekend series. After a loss in game one, NMU bounced back to defeat the then top-ranked Mavericks, 4-1. Now sophomore Mike Van Unen scored his first collegiate goal in the contest while Ben Newhouse net his first game-winner. Both were awarded Player of the Week honors by the WCHA following the series.
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FOLLOW ALONG |
Social Media: https://twitter.com/NMU_Wildcats and https://twitter.com/NMUHockey
Live Stats (Wed. at FSU): https://www.nmuwildcats.com/sports/mice/2020-21/boxscores/20201230_0ess.xml
Live Stats (Sat. vs. MSU): https://www.nmuwildcats.com/sports/mice/2020-21/boxscores/20210102_f195.xml
Live State (Sun. vs. MSU): https://www.nmuwildcats.com/sports/mice/2020-21/boxscores/20210103_x82t.xml
Radio: http://www.rrnsports.com/
Video: http://share.flosports.tv/SHI1
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LAST TIME OUT |
The Wildcats opened their season Dec. 16 at home against the Bulldogs of Ferris State, recording a 5-4 victory. The team completed their first week of action with a home-and-home series with rival Michigan Tech, falling in two hard fought contests for the 1-2-0 2020-21 season record.
Multiple Wildcats posted career-highlight performances, including AJ Vanderbeck who recorded his first multi-goal game in the victory over FSU, posting two goals and an assist for three total points, Tanner Vescio who doubled his point total from a season ago with two assists against FSU, and Colby Enns and David Keefer who both tallied their first career goals for the Wildcats.
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NATIONAL RANKINGS |
- AJ Vanderbeck's 1.33 points per game is tied for 12th nationally while his 1.00 goal per game average is a nation's best.
- Vincent de Mey currently sits 16th in the nation in goals per game with two through his first three outings for a 0.67 average.
- Joseph Nardi's game-winning goal against Ferris State to open the season ranks 18th nationally in GWGs.
- A pair of underclassmen defensemen are tied for 23rd nationally in points per game (defensemen). Tanner Vescio and Colby Enns have each recorded two points this season for a 0.67 points per game average.
- The Wildcat offense is 18th overall and their combined special teams is ranked 16th in the nation.
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2019-20 AWARD WINNERS |
The Wildcats saw eight individuals honored with weekly league recognition on 12 occasions in 2019-20. Of those honorees, seven are back on the line chart for the coming season, for a total of 11 weekly honors as well as three WCHA Player of the Month recipients.
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ON THE RETURNERS |
NMU brings back 18 individuals who saw ice-time in the 2019-20 season, including all three goaltenders and three of its top-four scorers. The team returns 79 goals from the 2019-20 season as well as 219 points, including league-leading scorer Griffin Loughran who posted 39 points (23-16-39) as a sophomore.
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FRESH FACES |
The Wildcats add 13 new faces to the team in 2020-21, including transfers David Keefer and Connor Ryckman.
After sitting out the 2019-20 season due to transfer requirements, Keefer looks poised to make an impact on the offensive side of the puck while Ryckman will likely battle returning Wildcat goaltender Nolan Kent for the starting position.
Jett Jungels returns to the lineup having sat out last season due to injury. He will provide a veteran look to the rookie class.
Joining him at forward are seven others who all dominated at the junior level and look to contribute to the Wildcat offensive efforts early.
At the blue line, the Wildcats look to replace former All-American captain Phil Beaulieu as they welcome four fresh faces who hope to make an immediate impact to the defensive efforts.
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PRESEASON RANKINGS |
The Wildcats were pegged to finish fourth in the WCHA this season as voted on by the league's coaches in the 2020-21 WCHA Preseason Coaches' Poll. The media picked Northern Michigan to finish fourth as well through the regular season, behind only unanimous favorite Minnesota State, Bemidji State and Bowling Green.
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2019-20 CAPTAINS |
A pair of seniors will lead the Wildcats in 2020-21 as Joseph Nardi was chosen as team captain after serving as an assistant last year, while Ben Newhouse will be the lone team alternate captain.
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YEAR FOUR UNDER COACH POTULNY |
Wildcat head coach Grant Potulny enters his fourth season behind the Wildcat bench. In three previous seasons with the team, Coach Potulny boasts a 64-47-9 record and has led the team to two 20+ win seasons in his three seasons at the helm. Last season the team ranked as high as 15th in the nation, their highest ranking under the current head coach. In his first season at the helm of the Wildcats, Potulny's team recorded a 25-15-3 season, it's first 25-win season since 2001-02 and advanced to the WCHA Championship game. the helm of the Wildcats, Potulny's team recorded a 25-15-3 season, it's first 25-win season since 2001-02 and advanced to the WCHA Championship game.
