MARQUETTE, Mich. - After a weekend off, the Northern Michigan University Hockey team is set for a weekend home-and-home series against CCHA and Upper Peninsula rival, the #19 Michigan Tech Huskies.
Game one of the series will be played at the Berry Events Center in Marquette, with game two taking place up the road at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. Puck drop Friday, December 2 is set for 7:07 PM and Saturday, December 3 will be 6:07 PM.
Each game will be broadcast across the Upper Peninsula on TV6, with Mark Evans and Dave Ellis on the call.
NMU (9-7-0, 5-3-0) currently sits fourth in the CCHA standings, with MTU (9-3-3, 5-2-3) in first.
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, December 2 - vs. Michigan Tech at 7:07 PM
Live Stats | Watch on TV6
| Watch on FloHockey | Live Audio | Game Notes (PDF)
Saturday, December 3 - at Michigan Tech at 6:07 PM
Live Stats | Watch on TV6
| Watch on FloHockey | Live Audio | Game Notes (PDF)
Teddy Bear Toss and Sock Toss on Friday
Friday's contest will mark the annual teddy bear and sock toss at the Berry Events Center. Fans are encouraged to bring new teddy bears or socks to throw during intermission. All teddy bears will be donated to Toys for Tots and all socks will be gifted to St. Vincent DePaul, Janzen House, local elementary schools, the Room at the Inn, The Beacon House, and The Women's Center.
Last Time Out
The Wildcats traveled to Mankato for a heavyweight bought against the Minnesota State Mavericks, with the 'Cats splitting the weekend series. The last time the Mavericks lost at home was October 9, 2021.
Game one took overtime, and it was the captain
AJ Vanderbeck who got it done, tallying the overtime winner to propel the 'Cats to a 3-2 victory. AJ scored in the opening minutes of overtime as he stole the puck from a defender and buried it in the slot, but the goal was immediately blown dead and AJ was called for a slashing penalty.
Beni Halasz made three saves on the PK, and the 'Cats successfully killed the penalty. The Wildcats controlled play in the offensive zone as AJ stepped out of the box, he got a pass from
Andre Ghantous in the high slot and ripped a wrister past the blocker of Rancier. That assist gave Ghantous 100 career collegiate points and the goal gave Vanderbeck 50 career collegiate goals.
Game two went Mankato's way, as the 'Cats lost the second game 4-1.
David Keefer scored his eighth goal of the season, and a two-goal third period from the Mavericks sealed the deal.
Atop the Nation
AJ Vanderbeck is T7 in goals (10), T8 in points (19), and T1 in short-handed goals (3). Vanderbeck and
David Keefer are T2 in game-winning goals (3).
As a team, the Wildcats are third in faceoffs won (523), sixth in faceoff win percentage (.555), fifth in power-play goals (18), and seventh in power-play percentage (.265).
A Look at Michigan Tech
The Huskies (9-3-3, 5-2-3) are coming off a weekend series against Minnesota State that saw a 3-2 win and a 2-2 tie, with Mankato taking the extra point in a shootout.
Nationally, Ryland Mosley is T1 in short-handed goals (3), T2 in game-winning goals (3), and Blake Pietila sits ninth in goals against average (1.90) and sixth in save percentage (.933). As a team, the Huskies have the eighth-ranked penalty kill percentage (.867).
Coach Potulny 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.
