MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Northern Michigan University hockey team completed the sweep of Colgate University to open the 2022 calendar year with a 2-0 record. 

Five Wildcats found the back of the net in the 6-3 victory over the Raiders, while 10 highlighted the box score, registering at least one point.

The Wildcats headed to the power play early as the Raiders were called for an elbow. Despite a flurry of chances on net, the home 'Cats were unable to capitalize on the man-advantage and the game returned to even strength just over three minutes in.

With 12:06 to play in the opening period, the two squads were called for a pair of extracurriculars and were forced to sit a skater for two minutes. Skating four-on-four, Hank Crone found the back of the net to give NMU the 1-0 lead midway through the first.

Mikey Colella kept the scoring going for NMU when he picked up a backhanded pass from Frye to make it 2-0, NMU, at 12:36 of the first.

Despite a chippy first period, the Wildcats managed to take the 2-0 lead into the first intermission behind goals from Hank Crone and Mikey Colella.

The Raiders came out firing early in the second period as they found a quick two goal answer to knot things up less than two minutes into the period. 

Hank Crone then sent a saucer from the point for the power play goal to break the stalemate.

Trevor Cosgrove kept up his scoring antics with a rocket shot from deep that found the back of the net to make it 4-2 and secure his third goal of the weekend.

The Raiders looked to have gotten one back, twice, as two shorthanded goals were waved off and the Wildcats clung to the 4-2 lead late in the second stanza. 

Colgate eventually pulled within one at 16:41 of the second period, giving NMU the 4-3 lead after two periods of play.

Early whistles in the third period saw the two teams skating four a side and AJ Vanderbeck took advantage of the extra ice, netting his 16th of the season to make it 5-3 for the Wildcats.

With 14:30 to play in regulation, the Wildcats were called for interference and found themselves down a man for two minutes. 

The Wildcats successfully killed the penalty and the two teams skated even for a time without a goal scored.

NMU was called for another penalty with six minutes to play, maintaining puck possession for a large part of the kill to continue their successful streak.

The Wildcats net the final goal of the night when Garrett Klee found the empty net at 18:49 of the third period for the 6-3 final.

Rico DiMatteo made 34 saves in the contest to improve his season record to 12-7-1.

GOALS

• The Wildcats opened the scoring with a goal from Hank Crone in the slot. The junior topped 30 points on the season with the tally and regained the top spot on the national leaderboard. Joseph Nardi and Ben Newhouse both tallied assists on the first goal of the night.
• Mikey Colella net his first goal of the weekend and extended his point streak to two games with a tip-in out front. Alex Frye sent a blind pass through the slot to Colella at the top of the crease to give NMU the 2-0 lead in the first period. AJ Vanderbeck also picked up an assist on the play.
• After Colgate tied things up early in the second period with a pair of quick goals, Hank Crone capitalized for the Wildcats on the power play, firing a quick shot from the point into the back of the net. Newhouse and Vanderbeck each picked up apples on the play for their second of the night.
• Trevor Cosgrove, who scored two on Friday night, picked up his third goal of the weekend with a rocket from deep to give NMU the 4-2 lead. The eventual game-winner was assisted by AJ Vanderbeck who intercepted the puck in the neutral zone and found Cosgrove just outside the blue line.
• The team's leading goal-scorer, Vanderbeck scored goal five for the Wildcats with a rebound out front. Crone fired a shot off the rush that ricocheted off the glass and back in front of the net where Vanderbeck was able to send it home. Newhouse also registered an assist on the play.
• Garrett Klee lit the lamp for the first time this season as he sent the puck the length of the ice and into the back of the empty net. Tim Erikkila and Hampus Eriksson each earned assists on the goal.

KEY STATS

• Hank Crone made his way back atop the national leaderboard with two goals in Saturday's contest. The junior leads the team and the nation with 32 points in 21 games played off nine goals and 23 assists. 
• Three Wildcats boasted multi-point games as Vanderbeck, Crone and Newhouse all registered three or more points. Vanderbeck, with his goal and three assists, led the team with four points for a career high while Crone (2-1-3) and Newhouse (0-3-3) each had three.
• Newhouse's three assists and three-point night are both career highs for the senior defenseman.
• With four points in the contest, Vanderbeck ties his career high, previously set against the University of St. Thomas earlier this season.
• Despite being outshot, 37-34, the Wildcats' backstop in Rico DiMatteo turned aside 34 shots for a .919 save percentage.
• The Wildcat defensive corp also jumped in front of 16 shots before they could reach the net, led by Tim Erkkila with eight blocks.
• The Wildcats are now 3-0 all-time against the Raiders.

UP NEXT

The Wildcats continue their homestand next weekend with a series against long time conference foe, Minnesota State University. - Mankato, Jan. 14-15.

Puck drop for both contests is set for 6:37 p.m. inside the Berry Events Center.