MARQUETTE, Mich. -- The Northern Michigan University Men's hockey team will continue the last two games of their home stay this week as they face the University of Minnesota Duluth in the Berry Events Center.

The 'Cats face off with the dogs Friday December 3rd and Saturday December 4th, both matches kicking off at 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 BULLDOGS
The last time these two teams faced off was in January of 2016. In total the Bulldogs hold the slim edge over NMU, with the Wildcats trailing the all-time series 34-36-4. In Marquette, the home team has won 25 times against 12 losses and two ties to the visiting UMD team.

The Bulldogs come into the weekend contest ranked atop the nation. The last time NMU welcomed the top-ranked team to the Berry was Dec. 2019 when they upset the Minnesota State University - Mankato Mavericks, 4-1.

FOLLOW ALONG
Live Stats: https://nmuwildcats.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
Last week at the Berry the 'Cats won one and tied the other in Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) play against the Bowling Green State University Falcons. After last week's outcome the 'Cats are now tied for second in the CCHA with the Bemidji State University Beavers, with both teams posting 18 points.

After facing the Falcons on back-to-back nights, there were lots of players who contributed to the successful weekend.

In the first game six different Wildcats scored to earn the 6-3 win over the Falcons and over the weekend 3 'Cats scored in both games. AJ Vanderbeck, Mack Beyers and Andre Ghantous each netted two goals on the weekend.

'CAT FACTS

• The Wildcats' 4.07 goals per game ranks fourth in the nation.
• NMU student-athletes have picked up 95 helpers this season, including those at every position for seventh-best nationally.
• The Wildcats have net 17 goals on the power play for eighth most among Division I teams.
• AJ Vanderbeck's five power play goals leads the Wildcats and CCHA while ranking fifth nationally.
• With a shorthanded tally at Ferris State, Hank Crone sits at sixth nationally. 
• Crone and Andre Ghantous each rank among the top-25 in helpers per game, with Crone's 1.0 ranking fifth and first in the CCHA. Ghantous' 0.87 assists per game is 17th nationally.
• Having won 160 draws in 15 games played, Joseph Nardi ranks 17th in the nation in faceoff wins.
• Vanderbeck's two game winning goals leads the CCHA and is 19th best in the nation.
• Averaging .80 goals per game, Vanderbeck ranks sixth nationally in the category while Mikey Colella's .73 average is ninth best.
• Crone's 1.40 points per game is 12th best in the division. Ghantous and Vanderbeck are tied for 22nd-best in the nation with 1.27 points per game.
• Ben Newhouse leads the nation with 50 blocks. In just 15 games played, the senior averages 3.33 blocks per game.
• Nardi's, having never missed a contest, ranks second in career games played among all active players with 164. 

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 164 straight games, he is the NMU all-time leader in consecutive games played. He is now just two 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.