MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University Hockey team will play at home for a weekend series against the Bemidji State Beavers. Puck drop for the games is scheduled for Friday, November 11 at 7:07 p.m., and Saturday, November 12 at 6:07 p.m. from the Berry Events Center.
This is a big weekend for the 'Cats, as they are currently tied with Bemidji for second place in the CCHA standings. The Wildcats have a 7-5-0 overall record and a 3-1-0 record against conference opponents. The Beavers have a 4-2-2 overall record and a 2-0-2 record against conference opponents.
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, November 11 - vs. Bemidji State at 7:07 PM
Tickets |
Live Stats |
Watch on FloHockey |
Live Audio |
Game Notes (PDF)
Saturday, November 12 - vs. Bemidji State at 6:07 PM
Tickets |
Live Stats |
Watch on FloHockey |
Live Audio |
Game Notes (PDF)
Last Week
The 'Cats traveled to Lake State for a weekend series against the Lakers, with Northern taking a series sweep in the first two games of the Cappo Cup series.
The 'Cats won game one 4-1, with goals coming from
Zach Michaelis, Vincent de May,
David Keefer, and
AJ Vanderbeck. Vanderbeck also registered an assist, along with
Connor Eddy and
Andre Ghantous.
Beni Halasz got the start, making 15 saves on 16 shots.
The 'Cats found themselves down 0-2 after the first period, but they clawed back and won game two by a score of 5-3, with goals from
Artem Shlaine,
Joey Larson,
AJ Vanderbeck,
David Keefer, and Vincent de May.
Alex Frye recorded two assists, with
Josh Zinger, Mikey Colella,
Michael Van Unen, Larson, Keefer, and Vanderbeck also recording assists. Halasz was between the pipes again, stopping 29 of 32 shots faced, with 20 coming in the third period alone.
Atop the Nation
After six weeks of play, the Wildcats lead the nation in power-play goals (16), firing at .281%, which is good for ninth nationwide. The 'Cats also lead the nation in faceoffs won (414), and are third with a .568 faceoff percentage. The Wildcats are tied for third in goals scored with 43.
Individually,
AJ Vanderbeck is T3 with 17 points and T5 with eight goals.
David Keefer is T2 with three game-winning goals, and
Artem Shlaine is sixth with 120 faceoffs won.
A Look at Bemidji State
The Beavers are 4-2-2 overall and are coming off a weekend series against CCHA rival Ferris State where the Beavers lost in a shootout in game one, then won in overtime game two.
Mitchell Martan leads the beavers with five goals and nine points. Eric Martin and Jere Vaisanen lead the team in assists with five. In goal, Mattias Sholl has played five games and has a 1.76 GAA and a .914 SV%.
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.
