MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Wildcat hockey programs continues their home stand this weekend when they host Ferris State University for a pair of Western Collegiate Hockey Association contests, Jan. 29-30. Friday's game is set for 7:07 p.m. before a 6:07 p.m. puck drop the following night.
The team from Northern Michigan University looks to get back in the win column after a handful of disappointing non-conference series to open the new year. The Wildcats' most recent win came in a 6-5 overtime victory at FSU Dec. 30. This season the Wildcats are 2-0 against the Bulldogs of FSU.
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WEEKLY NOTES
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AGAINST THE BULLDOGS |
NMU and FSU last faced off with the Wildcats on the road in Big Rapids. After trailing 3-0 heading into the first intermission, the Wildcats overcame their early deficit to net three of their own and tie the game up before the Bulldogs scored with six seconds left in the second period to make it 4-3. NMU would find twine twice more in the third period as the game headed to overtime where Joseph Nardi scored the game-winning goal with 34 seconds remaining in the extra session.
Vincent de Mey and AJ Vanderbeck posted multi-goal nights in the victory while Mike Van Unen tallied one on the power play.
Along with his goal, Nardi also registered three apples on the night for a career-high night in both points (four) and assists (three). Vanderbeck, Van Unen and Griffin Loughran all had three points on the night as well. The three men with three points each tied their career-best night in points.
The two teams also 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 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.
All-time, the Wildcats lead the Bulldogs, 66-30-6, including a 38-16-2 record on home ice.
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FOLLOW ALONG |
Social Media: https://twitter.com/NMU_Wildcats and https://twitter.com/NMUHockey
Live Stats (Fri.): http://www.nmuwildcats.com/sports/mice/2020-21/boxscores/20210129_dlr1.xml
Live Stats (Sat.): https://www.nmuwildcats.com/sports/mice/2020-21/boxscores/20210130_9n7p.xml
Radio: http://www.rrnsports.com/
Video: http://share.flosports.tv/SHI1
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LAST TIME OUT |
The Wildcats most recently suffered a non-conference sweep to rival Michigan Tech, falling 2-0 in a close physical battle Saturday evening in Houghton, before a 4-1 loss in another tight contest Monday night at home.
Andre Ghantous scored the lone goal for the Wildcats on the weekend, finding the back of the net early on the power play Monday night to give his team the 1-0 lead. AJ Vanderbeck and David Keefer both picked up assists on the goal.
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NATIONAL RANKINGS |
- 15th – Senior captain Joseph Nardi accounts for both of the Wildcats' game-winning goals, ranking him in a tie for 15th in the nation.
- 18th – Vincent de Mey's three power play goals in 2020-21 is tied for 18th nationally.
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THANK YOU, TIM MCINTOSH |
On Tuesday, January 5, a voice synonymous with NMU Hockey announced his retirement. Serving as the PA announcer since 1976, Tim McIntosh spent 44 years announcing Wildcat hockey games and his legendary "WWWWILDCAT GOAL" will forever ring through the Berry Events Center. Northern Michigan University Athletics and the NMU Hockey program wish to thank Tim for his years of dedication to their program.
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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 17 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 14 new faces to the team in 2020-21, including transfers David Keefer, Connor Ryckman, and Alex Frye.
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 five 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.
