MARQUETTE, Mich. - Coming off a sweep at Colgate, the Wildcats will be put be the test on the road this weekend, as they visit No. 14 Notre Dame for the first time in nearly 12 years. The two teams will play a Friday/Sunday series.
The Wildcats (3-1-0) and the Fighting Irish (0-1-1) will battle on Friday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. and then again on Sunday, October 16 at 5 p.m.
Follow Along
Make sure to follow @NMUHockey on Twitter to get updates throughout the week leading up to the games and for live updates while the 'Cats are on the ice.
Friday, October 14 - vs. No. 14 Notre Dame at 7:30 PM
Live Stats |
Watch on Peacock TV |
Live Audio |
Game Notes
Sunday, October 16 - vs. No. 14 Notre Dame at 5:00 PM
Live Stats |
Watch on Peacock TV |
Live Audio |
Game Notes
Last Week
The Wildcats traveled to New York State for the first-ever trip to Hamilton as they contested Colgate in a weekend affair. NMU was victorious 3-2 on Friday and 4-1 on Saturday.
On Friday,
AJ Vanderbeck scored a shorthanded goal and then scored the game-winner with 15 seconds left. On Saturday, freshman
Beni Halasz got the nod in net and stopped 27 of 28 shots for his first career win.
David Keefer led the offensive attack on Saturday, scoring twice including an empty-net tally.
Etched in History
With his start in net on October 8, 2022 at Colgate,
Beni Halasz became the first Hungarian-born goaltender to play in an NCAA Division I game. Halasz shined with the opportunity, smothering 27 of 28 shots he faced for his first career win. He also helped kill 6 of 7 penalties in the contest.
Atop the Nation
After two weeks, NMU is 1st in the country in power-play goals (6) and 3rd in assists (24) and points (39).
AJ Vanderbeck is T-1st in points (6), goals (4), game-winning goals (2), and shorthanded goals (1). He has the most shots in the nation with 26.
Andre Ghantous is also T-1st in assists (5) and points (6).
In the Polls
The Wildcats were picked to finish second in the CCHA Coaches' Preseason Poll. NMU received 61 points and two first-place votes. Minnesota State sits in first with 69 points and six first-place votes.
NMU is currently receiving votes (No. 21) in the USCHO poll and they are No. 20 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll.
A Look at Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish are ranked No. 14 in the USCHO poll and No. 13 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll.
ND is 0-1-1 early on, falling 5-2 to defending national champ Denver to start the season. They then tied Air Force 5-5, with the Falcons taking a 2-1 edge in the SO. Ryder Rolston has two goals while Drew Ravaro leads the Irish with three assists.
Notre Dame impressed with a 28-12 record last season, making it to the NCAA Tournament before falling to Minnesota State 1-0 in the Regional final.
Coach Potulny Weekly Preview
Preseason Recognition
AJ Vanderbeck has been selected to the All-CCHA Preseason Team after earning Second Team honors last season. Vanderbeck had 24 goals and 19 assists for 43 points. His 24 goals led the CCHA a season ago.
Freshman forward
Joey Larson has been named the CCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year. Larson received Michigan's Mr. Hockey Award in 2019.
2022-23 Captains
AJ Vanderbeck and
Tanner Vescio will represent the Wildcats with the Captain patch this season. Alternate captains
David Keefer and
Andre Ghantous will also participate in the leadership group.
Roster Breakdown
The 30-man 2022-23 roster consists of eight seniors, ten juniors, two sophomores, one redshirt freshman, and nine true freshmen. Four transfers join the 'Cats this season (
Simon Kjellberg - RPI,
Aiden Gallacher - Michigan State,
Kristof Papp - Michigan State, and
Artem Shlaine - Uconn).
The Wildcats represent the United States, Canada, Hungary, Russia, and Sweden.
Year Six for Coach Grant Potulny
Wildcat head coach
Grant Potulny enters his sixth season behind the Wildcat bench. In five previous seasons with the team, Coach Potulny boasts a 95-80-11 record and has led the team to three 20+ win seasons in his five seasons. Last season, Potulny led his Wildcat squad to a 20-16-1 record, besting Lake Superior State in the CCHA Quarterfinals before falling in the Semifinals. In his first season at the helm, Potulny's team recorded a 25-15-3 season, its first 25-win season since 2001-02 when they advanced to the WCHA Championship game.
A Season Ago
NMU finished last season with a 20-16-1 record. Northern fell at Minnesota State in the CCHA Semifinals to end their season. The Wildcats went on the road in the Quarterfinals to take a best-of-three series from Lake Superior State.
