MARQUETTE, Mich. -- The Northern Michigan University hockey team travels to Ferris State University this Friday to face off against the Bulldogs, Nov. 19-20.
Both games are scheduled to be played in Big Rapids, Mich., with game one of the series being on Friday, Nov. 19 at 7:07pm. The second game is set for puck drop at 6:07pm on Saturday, Nov. 20.

AGAINST THE BULLDOGS
All-time, the Wildcats are 68-30-6 against Ferris State whilst boasting an impressive road record with 26-13-4. The 'Cats have taken the last 14 matches the two teams played, with the most recent victory back in January 30 of 2021. The Wildcats took that game, 5-3, at the Berry Events Center here in Marquette, Mich, with goals coming from junior Alex Frye, junior Andre Ghantous and junior Colby Enns.

FOLLOW ALONG
Live Stats (Fri.): https://www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com/sports/mice/2021-22/boxscores/20211119_ryvf.xml
Live Stats (Sat.): https://www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com/sports/mice/2021-22/boxscores/20211120_rphe.xml
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 weekend split against Michigan Tech, which saw the 'Cats take game one in overtime and the Huskies take game two.
Friday night's game saw multiple 'Cats have a big game up in Houghton, Mich. Senior Ben Newhouse scored the first goal of the night early in the first period and then junior Hank Crone put up the next goal for NMU. Sophomore Rico DiMatteo accrued 43 saves on the night, which tied his career high saves and beat his most career saves in a win. 

Junior AJ Vanderbeck hit the winning shot in overtime, that sent the 'Cats up 3-2 over the Huskies and secured the victory.
Saturday's game saw the two teams travel back to Marquette, Mich. face off at the Berry Events Center. Senior Hampus Erikkson scored the first goal for the Wildcats early in the second period.  The next goal came from Hank Crone, midway through the second period that put the 'Cats up 2-1 against Michigan Tech. The Huskies scored two power play goal and an empty netter, which saw them win by a score of 5-2.
Following their weekend success, DiMatteo and Newhouse were both named Central Collegiate Hockey Association Players of the Week.

'CAT FACTS

• The 'Cats scoring leader, AJ Vanderbeck, boasts nine goals this season and is tied for third in goals in the nation.
• With 11 assists each, Hank Crone and Andre Ghantous both sit seventh in division I hockey in total assists.
• Crone and Vanderbeck are tied for team-best in total points, each registering 16 through 11 games played. The linemates are tied for eighth nationally in the category. Colella and Ghantous' 13 each are ranked 25th overall.
• The leaders in points are also tied for 10th in the nation in points per game with 1.45. 
• Vanderbeck's four goals on the power play ranks fifth in the nation and first in the CCHA.
• Ben Newhouse leads the nation in shots blocked, registering 41 on the season for an average of 3.72 blocks per game. 
• The Wildcats' 30.6 percent success rate on the power play ranks third in the nation.

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 multiple 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 160 straight games, he is the NMU all-time leader in consecutive games played. He is now just six games away from becoming NMU's all-time leader in 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.

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 75-64-10 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.