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MARQUETTE, Mich.— After an unanticipated weekend off, Northern Michigan's Hockey is set to take home ice for a weekend series against Lake Superior State. Despite not playing the previous weekend, the 'Cats still hold a #20 ranking. 
As of this week, the Wildcats have been ranked for two consecutive weeks in the USCHO poll, and a total of three weeks over the 2021-22 season. 
Puck drop for Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, is set for 6:37 p.m. before another 6:37 p.m. start the following evening. 

AGAINST THE LAKERS
Against the Lakers, the Wildcats carry the lead on won competitions as they go into this weekend 75-50-13. After Saturday's game, one of the teams will be awarded the Cappo Cup. This has been a tradition between the two teams since the 1994-95 season. The winner is determined by the total goals scored over the four games played that season. The Wildcats trail at 16-12 and haven't taken home the cup since the 2018-19 season. To win the cup they are going to need more than 11 goals throughout the weekend. 
In the last matchup against Lake State, they were on the road and were swept in a hard-fought series. Although they didn't come out with a win they still tallied a few points. Scoring for the 'Cats were AJ Vanderbeck, Mikey Colella, and Ben Newhouse. 

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 
At this point in the season, the 'Cats are 13-9-1 overall and at home, they are 10-5-1. After not playing the scheduled game against Michigan Tech, they are still coming off of a thrilling win against Minnesota State. The 'Cats come into this weekend holding a national rank of #20 and a conference rank of fifth. These next few conference matchups are critical for the team to secure home ice for the CCHA playoffs. 

'CAT FACTS

• Hank Crone owns 24 assists in 23 games played has him tied for a national best. His 29 points also lead the world of DI collegiate hockey with nine goals and 23 assists.
• Averaging 1.43 points per game, Crone is fifth in the nation in the category. Teammate AJ Vanderbeck follows with a tie for 10th with 1.30.
• With 76 blocks in 23 games played, Ben Newhouse leads the nation in the category. Fellow Wildcat blue liner Mike Van Unen sits in eighth nationally with 44 blocks.
• Vanderbeck is second nationally in goals with 17. His 94 shots are also nationally top-10, coming in at sixth overall while boasting more goals than the five-shot leaders above him. Those shots also put him in first for the CCHA.
• Having skated in 169 consecutive games, Joseph Nardi became NMU's all-time leader in games played in game one at Lake Superior State University. He now sits second overall among all active collegiate skaters. Hampus Eriksson, who transferred to NMU from LSSU before this season ranks 18th in games played with 155. Trevor Cosgrove hit the 150-game milestone in game two against the Lakers.
• Vanderbeck's seven goals on the man advantage rank him tied for third nationally in power-play goals.
• With the lone shorthanded goal for NMU thus far, Crone sits tied for 14th nationally in the category.
• Mikey Colella's 13 goals rank among the top-20 of all skaters tied at seventh overall.
• Vanderbeck's 23 points off 15 goals and eight assists rank 14th in the country.
• Andre Ghantous' 15 assists are the 48th-best in the nation.
• The team is averaging 3.87 goals per game and is fourth nationally among all DI teams and second in the CCHA.
• David Keefer has laced up for 99 collegiate games. 

HOBEY BAKER CANDIDATES
This year for Northern the team has two Hobey Baker Candidates, Seniors Joseph Nardi, and Hank Crone. Captain Joseph Nadi is notable for this record-breaking 170 consecutive games played. During his time at NMU, he has also led the nation in face-off wins. Hank Crone can currently be found on multiple leader boards for the nation including his total assists. 
 
Voting can be done once a day and is being held until March 6. Be sure to cast your votes for the Wildcats at hobeybaker.com/vote. 
 
ON THE RETURNERS
With 83.25 percent of their overall scoring returning in 2021-22, including all four of their top goal-scorers, 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).
 
During the Colgate series, the 'Cats added another new face to the ice. Freshman Jakob Peterson made his collegiate debut on Friday after coming straight from Amarillo (NAHL). Peterson is a 6'3 defender from Marquette.
 
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 169 straight games, he is the NMU all-time leader in consecutive 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.
 
MASK UP
Northern requires a mask to be worn by all individuals, vaccinated and not vaccinated, whenever inside an NMU facility. This includes all areas of all university facilities, including all indoor athletic venues. The only exception is when an individual is actively eating or drinking.
The masking requirement includes all visitors and groups on campus.

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, its first 25-win season since 2001-02, and advanced to the WCHA Championship game.
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