MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Northern Michigan University hockey program battled it out on the ice Saturday night against Michigan Technological University but ultimately fell to the Huskies, 5-2, for the weekend split.

The Wildcats led in shots through the first period of play but it was the Huskies who led on the scoreboard, 1-0.

Hampus Eriksson tied things up for the Wildcats early in the second period when he found the back of the net for his second of the year. The senior picked up a pass from Andre Ghantous right out front and buried the puck for the 1-1 score.

Just over four minutes later, on the power play, Hank Crone gave the Wildcats their first lead of the night with a goal stick side at 10:41 of the second period. 

The Huskies answered with two quick goals of their own on the power play to make it a 3-2 game heading into the final period of play with the 'Cats down by one.

The Wildcats had a few close calls halfway through the third period, including two back-to-back odd-man rushes up ice that got the crowd roaring, but the team was unable to capitalize on either attempt and skated on in search of the equalizer.

Despite outshooting their opponent, 11-7, in the final period, MTU found two more goals, including an empty net tally, for the 5-2 final.

The Wildcats outshot the Huskies through all three periods of play, registering 29 total shots on net to MTU's 22 but their two-goal second period was not enough to earn the sweep, and instead settle for a split with their Upper Peninsula rival.

GOALS

• Hampus Eriksson lit the lamp for NMU at 6:37 of the second period to knot things up. Andre Ghantous found Eriksson on the doorstep and fed him a pass for the quick wrister through the five-hole. Mikey Colella also tallied an assist on the play.
• On the power play, Hank Crone nearly sent a water bottle flying with his top shelf goal on the power play. His goal came from inside the far circle, beating MTU's Pietila high stick side for the 2-1 NMU lead at 10:41 of the second. Ben Newhouse and David Keefer each earned assists on the play.

• In a strong defensive outing, despite the final score, the Wildcats held the Huskies to 22 total shots while firing 29 of their own on net. 
• NMU had 11 shots on goal in the final frame but were unable to break the MTU netminding for the final of 5-2. 
• AJ Vanderbeck led the team in shots with seven while Joseph Nardi and Hampus Eriksson combined for four each. 
• The defensive duo of Ben Newhouse and Mike Van Unen registered 13 total blocked shots combined, with Newhouse jumping in front of eight pucks Saturday night.
• In total, the Wildcats had 18 blocked shots for a series total of 37.
• Six Wildcats highlighted the box score Saturday night, including Hampus Eriksson and Hank Crone with the goals. 
• Eriksson skated in his 150th career game, scoring the first goal of the night for NMU.
• With points in his last four games, Hank Crone leads the team with his four-game point streak (2-4-6) while Ben Newhouse is riding a hot streak with points in his last three games, including a goal and two assists.

The Wildcats travel downstate to face the Bulldogs of Ferris State University next weekend, Nov. 19-20.