MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Northern Michigan University hockey team continued their winning ways with a dominant 6-3 victory over Bowling Green State University, Friday night, inside the Berry Events Center.

NMU's defense held the visiting Falcons shot-less through the first nine minutes of play, outshooting their opponent, 7-0 through that duration.

After the Falcons opened the scoring at 10:57 of action when BGSU's Taylor Schneider snuck one past Rico DiMatteo on the rebound, the remainder of the game favored the home squad.

The Wildcats scored two quick goals, courtesy of David Keefer and Oscar Geschwind, late in the period to carry the 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

NMU held the Falcons to just four shots on goal through the first period of play.

The visiting team found the equalizer on the power play at 10:37 of the second frame but NMU's Mikey Colella and Mack Byers combined for a pair of goals just 48 seconds apart to pull ahead 4-2. 

Andre Ghantous and AJ Vanderbeck also lit the lamp later in the contest to secure NMU the 6-3 victory at home.

Having scored 19 goals in their last three contests, the Wildcats rank among the best in college hockey at fourth nationally in scoring offense.

GOALS

• David Keefer knotted things up at 1-1 with an unassisted goal at 17:09 of the first period. The forward intercepted a pass in the neutral zone and skated it into the Wildcats' end. His initial shot bounced off the pads of BGSU's Rose in net, falling right back on the stick of Keefer who flipped the loose puck over the right shoulder of the opposing netminder and into the back of the net.
• Moments later, Vincent de Mey carried the puck in, spinning around a BG defender before tossing a back hand pass over to Oscar Geschwind in the slot who sent a shot top shelf for the 2-1 lead. His goal came just 36 seconds after NMU's first of the night.
• Mikey Colella gave NMU the lead at 17:50 of the second period with a shot from the top of the slot. Joseph Nardi picked up the puck along the boards and chipped it out to Colella atop the circle who centered the puck before firing it high blocker side for the 3-2 lead.
• A net front scramble gave Mack Byers his second goal in as many games. Bo Hanson skated the puck through the offensive zone before sending a cross to the front of the net where Byers won the puck battle and tapped it over the goal line. David Keefer also picked up an assist on the play.
• Andre Ghantous split the Falcon defensemen for the fifth goal of the night. After winning the battle along the boards, the junior beat four defenders before sending the puck between the left skate of Rose and near post to make it a 5-2 game.
• In a clearing attempt, Hampus Eriksson broke up a pass deep in the offensive zone, getting the puck back to AJ Vanderbeck in the slot for a wide open shot for the 'Cats' sixth and final goal of the night.

KEY STATS

• The Wildcats held the Falcons without a shot through nine minutes of play to open the game Friday night, eventually outshooting BGSU, 36-23 in the win.
• NMU blocked 18 shots in the contest, led by Mike Van Unen with four.
• With a goal and an assist Friday, David Keefer led the team with two points and was awarded first star of the game honors.
• Ten different Wildcats highlighted the box score with six individual goal scorers.
• Rico DiMatteo improved his season record to 8-5-0 with 20 saves on the night.
• Dating back to their last series at Ferris State, the Wildcats have scored at least six goals in each of their last three games and have five six-plus goal games this season. The team now averages over four goals per game and rank among the top-four in Division I.
• Three Wildcats currently own point-streaks, including Andre Ghantous with a four-game run (3-3-6).
• Vincent de Mey (1-5-6) and Oscar Geschwind (2-2-4) have points in each of their last three games.

UP NEXT
The Wildcats and Falcons return to the rink Saturday night with NMU looking to build off their momentum from Friday night. 

Puck drop is set for 6:37 p.m.