MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University hockey team hits the road for a crucial conference series at Minnesota State University-Mankato, Oct. 29-30.
In early standings, the Wildcats are tied for first in league standings with a chance to solidify themselves atop the CCHA with their trip to Minnesota. The meeting will be the third-ranked Mavericks' first conference series of the season while the Wildcats will dress for their third weekend of conference play.
Traveling to No. 3/2 MSU, the series marks the Wildcats' third-straight weekend against ranked opponents.
Puck drop for Friday, Oct. 29, is set for 8:07 p.m. before a 7:07 p.m. start the following evening. All times are Eastern.
AGAINST THE MAVERICKS
The Widlcats trail the all-time series with the Mavericks, 5-17-3, however the two teams' last meeting came in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association semifinals last season where NMU stormed off with a 5-1 victory in Mankato to advance to the conference championship.
Five current Wildcats highlighted the box score in the post season matchup, including Andre Ghantous (2-0-2), AJ Vanderbeck (1-1-2) and Joseph Nardi (1-2-3) who all boasted multiple points. Alex Frye scored the eventual game-winner with an assist to Ben Newhouse just 26 seconds into the second period.
Rico DiMatteo backstopped his team to the victory with 28 saves on 29 shots faced.
FOLLOW ALONG
Live Stats: https://msumavericks.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
NMU is coming off a tough home stretch which included three-straight games against ranked opponents. The Wildcats went 2-3-0 in their five game home stand, as well as posting an exhibition victory over the USNTDP U-18 team. Most recently, the Wildcats were swept by Central Collegiate Hockey Association foe Bemidji State University, in a pair of tight matchups. In both contests, the Wildcats fell by one goal as the 19th-ranked Beavers stole a 5-4 win and 4-3 victory over the 'Cats in their return to conference play. Five individuals boasted multi-point weekends, including
Andre Ghantous who led the team with four points off a goal and three assists.
'CAT FACTS
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With six individuals highlighting the box score Saturday night, five extended their point streaks. The team leader in goals and points, AJ Vanderbeck now holds a four-game streak of five goals and four assists for nine points. Hank Crone also owns a four-game stretch at 3-5-8. Colella (2-1-3), Ghantous (1-3-4) and Hampus Eriksson (0-3-3) all hold two-game streaks heading into next weekend.
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Along with his four-game point streak, Vanderbeck has scored at least one goal in each of his last four outings for a team best five goals on the season.
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Vanderbeck's five goals ranks second in the league while his nine points are fourth-best behind a trio of LSSU skaters.
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The Wildcats have three of the league's top-nine scorers in Vanderbeck, Crone and Eriksson.
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At 1.80 points per game off five goals and four assists, Vanderbeck ranks ninth nationally. His five goals in as many outings is tied for fourth in the country.
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Wildcat newcomer Crone is 15th with 1.60 points per game.
- Eriksson's seven assists in five games ranks him fifth in the nation for assists/game. His four assists in game two against St. Thomas is the most of any Division I skater in 2021-22.
- Two current Wildcats scored their first career goals against the Mavericks, including Mike Van Unen who opened the scoring against then-top ranked MSU in a home game against the Mavericks (Dec. 2019) en route to the team's first victory over a top-ranked team since 2011. Hampus Eriksson also net his first collegiate goal against the Mavericks while playing for LSSU.
- Hank Crone's first career point came against the Mavericks when he tallied an assist on Oct. 13, 2017.
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. Skating in 154 straight games, 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.
