MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Wildcat hockey team returns to Central Collegiate Hockey Association action this weekend when they host Bemidji State University, Oct. 22-23. Following their overtime victory on Saturday, the Beavers are currently ranked 19th in the nation as the Northern Michigan University Wildcats face their second-straight ranked opponent at home.
Puck drop for both nights is set for 6:37 p.m.
A fourth period party will take place at Hudson's Classic Grill & Bar following Saturday's contest.
AGAINST THE BEAVERS
The Wildcats and the Beavers are 8-15-6 overall in 29 all-time meetings, with their most recent meeting coming last February when NMU traveled to Bemidji, Minnesota, for a pair of games.
Sophomore netminder Rico DiMatteo earned his first career sweep in the road series and was named Rookie of the Week by the Western Collegiate Hockey Association the following Monday. Now-junior Andre Ghantous also picked up a weekly honor following the sweep.
The Wildcats boasted eight goals over the two-game stretch, including a 3-2 overtime victory Saturday night.
Ghantous led the team in points during the series, scoring a goal and four assists for a five-point weekend. Three other individuals had multi-point weekends in Joseph Nardi (2-2-4), Garrett Klee (2-0-2) and Mikey Colella (0-2-2).
With the latest release of the USCHO.com poll, the Beavers are ranked 19th in the nation while the Wildcats continue to receive votes.
FOLLOW ALONG
Live Stats: https://nmuwildcats.com/sidearmstats/mhockey/summary
Radio: https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/wupt
Video: https://www.flohockey.tv/
Twitter: @NMUHockey
Instagram: @nmu_hockey
Facebook: NMU Hockey
TikTok: @nmuhockey
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats are coming off a two-game weekend, including an exhibition win over the USNTDP Friday evening.
In Friday's contest against the U-18 team, the Wildcats came out firing with five-straight goals to go up 5-0 part way through the third. The visiting team sent 28 pucks at rookie netminder Charlie Glockner in the final period of play but he stood tall, turning aside 25 of them to carry his team to the victory.
Four Wildcats found the back of the net in the contest, including the team's leading goalscorer AJ Vanderbeck who found twine twice on the powerplay.
In Saturday's match up the Wildcats fell short against Notre Dame with a final score of 5-2 while holding even in virtually every other stats category.
NMU fought hard against the Fighting Irish with Ben Newhouse and AJ Vanderbeck each scoring a goal along with goaltender Charlie Glockner stopping all 19 shots faced during the latter half of the game.
'CAT FACTS
- Rookie netminder Charlier Glockner had a total of 60 saves over the two-game weekend, appearing in the crease for 97:36 minutes.
- With three goals in as many games played, Wildcat leading goal-scorer AJ Vanderbeck ranks 20th nationally in goals scored and fourth in points per game with 2.00.
- Vanderbeck's six points in three games (3-3-6) ranks atop the CCHA while his three goals scored is good for fourth.
ON THE RETURNERS
With 83.25 percent of their overall scoring returning in 2021-22, including all four of their top goal-scorers in
AJ Vanderbeck,
Joseph Nardi,
Andre Ghantous and
Vincent de Mey, the Wildcats look to be in good shape heading into the new season.
The team returns 68 of last year's 79 goals this coming season for over 85 percent return rating as three double-digit goal scorers will return to the ice for the Wildcats this season. Sophomore Vanderbeck led NMU in goals scored last year, netting 14 in 29 games played, while adding 13 helpers for 27 total points. Senior Nardi and fellow sophomore Ghantous also scored double-digit goals in 2020-21, scoring 12 and 10, respectively, as the linemates prepare for another impressive season.
A captain in 2020-21, Nardi led the team in points and assists, recording a career-best 33 points during the condensed season.
A slew of veterans will take the ice for the team this season as they return 14 forwards, six defensemen and two netminders, all of whom saw the ice in 2020-21.
FRESH FACES
The Wildcats added seven new faces during the off-season, including four forwards, two defensemen and a goaltender. Four individuals have experience at the Division I level as
Hank Crone and
Bo Hanson come to Marquette from Denver (NCHC),
Trevor Cosgrove joins the Wildcats from Colgate (ECAC) and Hampus Erikkson, having played in the Berry Events Center mulitple times in his collegiate career, joins the ranks of NMU centers after four years at rival Lake Superior State University (WCHA).
IRON MAN
Having never missed a tilt, Nardi laced up his skates in his 150th career game when the Wildcats opened their season against St. Thomas. The senior captain picked up the primary assist on the first goal of the night for his 100th career point. At 152 consecutive games played, he is the NMU all-time leader in consecutive games played.
PRESEASON RANKINGS
The Wildcats, having come one win shy of the 2020-21 NCAA Tournament, were picked to finish fourth in the CCHA as announced by the conference in late September.
2021-22 CAPTAINS
Joseph Nardi and
Ben Newhouse will renew their leadership roles this season as Nardi enters his second year as captain and third with a letter adorning his sweater. This will be Newhouse's second season as an alternate captain.
MASK UP
Northern requires a mask to be worn by all individuals, vaccinated and not vaccinated, whenever inside an NMU facility. This includes all areas of all university facilities, including all indoor athletic venues. The only exception is when an individual is actively eating or drinking.
The masking requirement includes all visitors and groups on campus.
YEAR FIVE UNDER COACH POTULNY
Wildcat head coach
Grant Potulny enters his fifth season behind the Wildcat bench. In four previous seasons with the team, and 149 games at the helm of the Wildcats, Coach Potulny boasts a 75-54-10 record and has led the team to two 20+ win seasons in his four seasons at NMU. Last season, Potulny led his Wildcat squad to its third WCHA semifinal in four years, as well as their second appearance in the tournament championship game during his tenure. 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.
