MARQUETTE, Mich. - AJ Vanderbeck scored twice including the OT game-winner and Joey Larson scored the first of his career to push NMU to a 4-3 win over BGSU on Sunday.

NMU jumped in front 2-0 after one, as Larson and Vanderbeck each scored. BGSU flipped the script in the second to tie it 2-2 heading to the third. 

After a Falcon goal, David Keefer came up with a big tally to tie it for NMU. 

After not being able to decide a winner in regulation, captain AJ Vanderbeck bested the netminder short side in OT for the 4-3 victory. 


How it Happened
1st Period
The 'Cats didn't take long to get into the score sheet, as Joey Larson sniped his first career tally just 2:15 into action. It was a power-play goal assisted by Artem Shlaine and Mikey Colella. Shaline placed a beautiful behind-the-net feed to Larson out in front for the early NMU lead. 

NMU continued to implement themselves early, as AJ Vanderbeck collected his first goal on NMU's 9th shot on goal. David Keefer assisted. NMU led 2-0 early. 

The Green and Gold staved off a couple of penalties as the clock was winding down in the opening 20 minutes. Charlie Glockner made a couple of timely stops in the crease. 


2nd Period
NMU fought for their third successful penalty kill of the game, as the Wildcats had the blueprint for special teams in the early going.

On Northern's 4th penalty kill of the night, Josh Zinger had a shorthanded breakaway, but the puck bounced just left of the net. The Falcons Austin Swankler then capitalized before the man-advantage expired to pull BGSU within one. Ethan Scardina then scored 15 seconds later for the Falcons to quickly tie it 2-2. 

The Wildcats fought off the large majority of their 5th penalty as the horn sounded to end the 2nd period. 


3rd Period
The Falcons killed off a penalty and then claimed their first lead with 11:55 to go. Austin Swankler added his second goal of the game for BGSU. 

The 'Cats were able to cash in on another power play chance with 7:09 to go. David Keefer dove to connect with the puck and slide it across the crease to tie it 3-3. 

NMU had a couple of looks late, but extra time was needed as the score read 3-3 after the third. 


OT
Skating 3-on-3, the Wildcats were able to claim victory off the stick of AJ Vanderbeck, as he fired a shot short side to beat the goalkeeper with 1:13 left. 


Postgame Notes

• NMU outshot the Falcons 31-24 in the contest.
• After scoring 24 goals last year, AJ Vanderbeck added two on the night. 
• Joey Larson scored the game's first goal for the first of his career. 
• The Wildcats dominated the face-off circle, converting on 36 of 53 (67.9%), led by Artrem Shlaine (16 of 21)
• Newcomer Artem Shlaine added two assists for a three-point weekend. 

Goal Summary
1st Period
2:15 - Joey Larson (NMU PP, 1-0) - Assisted by Artem Shlaine and Mikey Colella
6:58 - AJ Vanderbeck (NMU, 2-0) - Assisted by David Keefer

2nd Period
10:50 - Austin Swankler (BGSU PP, 2-1) - Assisted by Dalton Norris
11:05 - Ethan Scardina (BGSU, 2-2) - Assisted by Jaden Grant

3rd Period
8:05 - Austin Swankler (BGSU, 2-3) - Assisted by Chase Gresock and Dalton Norris
12:51 - David Keefer (NMU PP, 3-3) - Assisted by Alex Frye and AJ Vanderbeck

OT
3:47 - AJ Vanderbeck (NMU, 4-3) - Assisted by Artem Shlaine


Up Next
The Wildcats will make the trip to New York state for a weekend pair at Colgate, on October 7 and 8.