HOUGHTON, Mich. - The NMU hockey team had trouble staying out of the penalty box on Saturday as they fell to Michigan Tech 3-1 in Houghton. In total, the Wildcats took 8 penalties totaling 27 minutes and were never able to find their footing in the contest. 

NMU's lone goal came from David Keefer in the 2nd period, his 10th of the season. With AJ Vanderbeck's assist, it marked the 100th point of his career. In net, Beni Halasz stopped a career best 44 shots. The Huskies led in shots on goal in the contest, 47-25. 

For the Huskies, Ryland Mosley scored twice while Tyrone Bronte added a tally. Blake Pietila stopped 24 of 25 shots in net for Tech. 


How it Happened
Michigan Tech carried the momentum in the early going, rattling off five shots in a row over a few-minute stretch. Beni Halasz was faced with a 3-on-1 with 5:30 left on the clock and he came up with a big save under pressure. NMU's best early look came from Joey Larson alone in the slot right after, but the shot was nestled by MTU's goalie Blake Pietila. 

Things got crazy with one minute left in the first when the Wildcats got called for three penalties at once, a pair of minors, and a major for grabbing the facemask from Aiden Gallacher. The Huskies went to 5-on-3 to end the period, but NMU got to the intermission keeping the game scoreless. Michigan Tech led in shots on goal 14-11 after the first 20 minutes. 

Northern was able to fight through four minutes of 5-on-3 and another minute of 5-on-4 unblemished, but the Huskies would get on the board at full strength. Tyrone Bronte went top shelf for the Huskies with 14:44 left in the 2nd for the game's first goal. 

After the Huskies had the first nine shots of the 2nd period, NMU got it going and found the tying score on the power play with a dozen minutes left. David Keefer chased down a loose puck in front and buried his 10th of the year. Alex Frye and AJ Vanderbeck assisted. It was the 100th point in AJ's collegiate career.

The Huskies would get it back before period's end, however. MTU's leading scorer Ryland Mosley lit the lamp for the 8th time on the year with just over six minutes left in the period. Michigan Tech carried that 2-1 lead to third, outshooting the 'Cats 19-6 in the middle stanza.

After two NMU penalties to start the final period, the Huskies converted on Ryland Mosley's second of the game. The story of the game continued down the stretch as the Wildcats could not stay out of the box. MTU would hold for the 3-1 win.  

Postgame Notes

• Beni Halasz stopped 44 of 47 shots (.936 save percentage). 
• In total, the Huskies led in shots on goal 47-25. 
• David Keefer scored his 10th goal of the season for NMU. 
• AJ Vanderbeck's assist marked the 100th point of his career.
• The Wildcats took 8 infractions to just 4 for the Huskies. NMU totaled 27 penalty minutes to 8 for MTU. 

Goal Summary
1st Period
No Goals

2nd Period
5:16 - Tyrone Bronte (MTU, 0-1) - Assisted by Nick Nardella
8:00 - David Keefer (PP NMU, 1-1) - Assisted by Alex Frye and AJ Vanderbeck
13:29 - Ryland Mosley (MTU, 1-2) - Assisted by Topi Heiskanen

3rd Period
10:44 - Ryland Mosley (PP MTU, 1-3) - Assisted by Evan Orr and Brett Thorne
 

Up Next
The Wildcats will head to Big Rapids next weekend for a CCHA series with the Ferris State Bulldogs on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10.