MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University hockey team will host the Alaska Nanooks this Friday and Saturday in the final non-conference series before the CCHA slate gets underway.
The Wildcats (4-4-0) and the Nanooks (3-4-1) will play on Friday, October 28 at 7:07 p.m. and close out the series on Saturday, October 29 at 6:07 p.m. from the Berry Events Center.
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 21 - vs. Alaska at 7:07 PM
Tickets | Live Stats | Watch on FloHockey | Live Audio | Game Notes
Saturday, October 22 - vs. Alaska at 6:07 PM
Tickets | Live Stats | Watch on FloHockey | Live Audio | Game Notes
Last Week
The Wildcats hosted Alaska Anchorage, winning 9-1 on Friday, but dropping Saturday's decision 3-1.
AJ Vanderbeck scored twice and assisted twice on Friday as he earned CCHA Forward of the Week.
Vincent de Mey and
Kristof Papp also scored twice on Friday.
Atop the Nation
After four weeks, NMU is T-2nd in the country in power-play goals (11), and 5th in assists (47) and points (77).
AJ Vanderbeck is T-2nd in goals (6) game-winning goals (2), and points (11). He has the most shots in the nation with 51.
Andre Ghantous is T-4th in the nation with seven assists.
Beni Halasz leads all freshmen goaltenders with a .934 save percentage.
A Look at Alaska Fairbanks
The Nanooks are 3-4-1 on the season, earning series splits with AIC, St. Thomas, and Omaha this season. They also got swept at Michigan Tech. They most recently played at Omaha, winning 3-2 on Friday and losing 3-2 on Saturday.
Jonny Sorenson leads the team with three goals and five points while Garrett Pyke has the helping hand with four assists.
Preseason Poll
The Wildcats were picked to finish 2nd in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Coaches' Preseason Poll. NMU received 61 points and two first-place votes. Minnesota State was picked to win the CCHA.
Coach Potulny Weekly Preview
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.
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.
