MARQUETTE, Mich. -- The Northern Michigan University hockey team returns to the Berry Events Center, Friday, Nov. 26, to kick off a four-game home stand.
The Wildcats host Central Collegiate Hockey Association foe Bowling Green State University, Nov. 26-27, as both teams look to pull ahead in the league standings. 

Puck drop both nights against the Falcons is scheduled for 6:37 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online by going to tickets.nmu.edu or in-person at any NMU ticketing outlet.

AGAINST THE FALCONS
All-time the Falcons hold the slim advantage over NMU, as the Wildcats trail the series 53-57-10. In their most recent meeting, the Wildcats won the WCHA Quarterfinal best-of-three series, 2-1, in Ohio.
The Wildcats took game one of the weekend series by the narrowest of margins, 4-3, before dropping game two and force a deciding game three.
 
NMU dominated that final game as WCHA rivals, coming out with a 5-1 victory to advance to the WCHA Semifinals last season.
 
Last season, eight current Wildcats boasted multiple points against the Falcons during the season series, including Joseph Nardi who led the team with two goals and three assists against BGSU. Vincent de Mey (3-1-4), Mike Van Unen (0-4-4) and AJ Vanderbeck (0-4-4) were all just behind with four points a piece. 
 
Jett Jungels net his first career goal last January agains the Falcons while three others in Hampus Eriksson, Garrett Klee and AJ Vanderbeck all picked up their first career point (assists) against BGSU.
 
In 62 meetings in Marquette, the Wildcats own a 29-26-7 record against the Falcons.

FOLLOW ALONG
Live Stats: https://nmuwildcats.com/sidearmstats/mhockey/summary
Radio: https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/wupt
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LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats are coming off a weekend sweep at Ferris State University, taking five of a possible six points in Central Collegiate Hockey Association play.

Eight individuals picked up multiple points over the two-game series, including Vincent de Mey with a team-high five (1-4-5). 

In Saturday's 7-6 overtime winner, two Wildcats net their first collegiate goals. Mack Byers opened the scoring for NMU, tying things up at 1-1 in the first with his first career goal before freshman Oscar Geschwind found twine for the first time later in the game. Geschwind previously recorded his first collegiate point the night prior with a pair of assists for a three-point weekend.

Following his productive weekend, Geschwind picked up CCHA Rookie of the Week honors.

'CAT FACTS

• Converting on 28.8 percent of their power play opportunities, the Wildcats are ranked seventh nationally and fifth with 17 total goals on the man-advantage.
• The Wildcats average 4.00 goals per game which ranks fourth overall in Division I.
• Hank Crone is fifth in the nation in assists per game, averaging just over one per game (1.08) with 16 helpers in 13 games played.
• Tied for the team lead with 10 goals each, Mikey Colella and AJ Vanderbeck boast the sixth most goals among active Division I skaters.
• Vanderbeck's five goals on the man-advantage is good for fourth nationally.
• Two Wildcats rank among the top-10 in faceoffs, as Joseph Nardi's 135 wins and Hampus Eriksson's 118 wins rank sixth and ninth, respectively.
• Nardi's, having never missed a contest, ranks second in career games played among all active players with 162. 

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 162 straight games, he is the NMU all-time leader in consecutive games played. He is now just four 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 75-54-10 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.