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MARQUETTE, Mich. – The NMU Wildcats get ready to lace up for a Tuesday night game at Michigan Technological University. The previous matchup with Michigan Tech was postponed and is now set to take place Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Houghton at 6:07 p.m. and next Tuesday, February 8 in Marquette at 6:37 p.m.

Rival Michigan Tech is ranked 15 in the USCHO poll and second in the CCHA.

Both games will be streamed via FOX UP. The Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 game is sponsored by the Veridea Group. 

AGAINST THE HUSKIES 

The Wildcats still hold a one-win lead in the overall games played against MTU. The 'Cats lead with 77 wins in the total 167 games played. The Huskies have tallied 76 wins against NMU. This weekend match-up will be the second time the 'Cats go up against the Huskies this season. Last series the 'Cats took the win on the road in thrilling overtime. The Huskies managed to come back the next night and take the win at the Berry. 

During the last match-up with MTU, Rico DiMatteo had 43 saves in Friday night's game giving him a season and career-high. Forward AJ Vanderbeck tallied an OT game-winning goal to add to his stats for the season.

FOLLOW ALONG

Live Stats: https://nmuwildcats.com/sidearmstats/mhockey/summary

Radio: https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/wupt

Video: https://www.flohockey.tv/

Twitter: @NMUHockey

Instagram: @nmu_hockey

Facebook: NMU Hockey

TikTok: @nmuhockey

LAST TIME OUT

The Wildcats are going into Tuesday's game after playing a series at home against Lake Superior State. The 'Cats split the series with a 6-1 lose Friday night and came back Saturday, winning 2-1 in thrilling overtime. Against the Lakers, David Keefer laced up for his 100th game. He also tallied two goals as he scored the solo goal Friday and the OT goal Saturday. NMU is now 14-10-1 and holds a 3-4 record on the road. The 'Cats are now ranked fifth in the CCHA. Freshman Charlie Glockner entered the net Saturday and made 23 saves.
 

'CAT FACTS

• Hank Crone owns 25 assists in 24 games played for a national best. His 34 points also stand at fourth in the world of DI collegiate hockey with nine goals and 25 assists.

• Averaging 1.41 points per game, Crone is third in the nation in the category. Teammate AJ Vanderbeck follows in 16th with 1.20.

• With 83 blocks in 25 games played, Ben Newhouse leads the nation in the category. Fellow Wildcat blue liner Mike Van Unen sits in 14 nationally with 46 blocks.

• Vanderbeck is tied for third nationally in goals with 17. His 111 shots are also nationally top-10, coming in at second overall.

• Having skated in 169 consecutive games, Joseph Nardi became NMU's all-time leader in games played in game one at Lake Superior State University. He now sits second overall among all active collegiate skaters. Hampus Eriksson, who transferred to NMU from LSSU before this season ranks 18th in games played with 155. Trevor Cosgrove hit the 150-game milestone in game two against the Lakers.

• Vanderbeck's seven goals on the man advantage rank him tied for fifth nationally in power-play goals.

• With the lone shorthanded goal for NMU thus far, Crone sits tied for 14 nationally in the category.

• Mikey Colella's 13 goals ranked 17 overall.

• Vanderbeck's 25 points off 17 goals and 13 assists rank 11th in the country.

• Andre Ghantous' 17 assists are the 24th-best in the nation.

• The team is averaging 3.68 goals per game is sixth nationally among all DI teams and second in the CCHA.

HOBEY BAKER NOMINEES 

This year for Northern the team has two Hobey Baker Candidates, Seniors Joseph Nardi, and Hank Crone. Captain Joseph Nardi is notable for this record-breaking 170 consecutive games played. During his time at NMU, he has also led the nation in face-off wins. Hank Crone can currently be found on multiple leader boards for the nation including his total assists. 

Voting can be done once a day and is being held until March 6. Be sure to cast your votes for the Wildcats at hobeybaker.com/vote.

ON THE RETURNERS

With 83.25 percent of their overall scoring returning in 2021-22, including all four of their top goal-scorers in AJ Vanderbeck, Joseph Nardi, Andre Ghantous, and Vincent de Mey, the Wildcats look to be in good shape heading into the new season.

The team returns 68 of last year's 79 goals this coming season for over 85 percent return rating as three double-digit goal scorers will return to the ice for the Wildcats this season. Sophomore Vanderbeck led NMU in goals scored last year, netting 14 in 29 games played, while adding 13 helpers for 27 total points. Senior Nardi and fellow sophomore Ghantous also scored double-digit goals in 2020-21, scoring 12 and 10, respectively, as the linemates prepare for another impressive season.

A captain in 2020-21, Nardi led the team in points and assists, recording a career-best 33 points during the condensed season.

A slew of veterans will take the ice for the team this season as they return 14 forwards, six defensemen, and two netminders, all of whom saw the ice in 2020-21.

FRESH FACES

The Wildcats added seven new faces during the off-season, including four forwards, two defensemen, and a goaltender. Four individuals have experience at the Division I level as Hank Crone and Bo Hanson come to Marquette from Denver (NCHC), Trevor Cosgrove joins the Wildcats from Colgate (ECAC) and Hampus Erikkson, having played in the Berry Events Center multiple times in his collegiate career, joins the ranks of NMU centers after four years at rival Lake Superior State University (WCHA).

During the Colgate series, the 'Cats added another new face to the ice. Freshman Jakob Peterson made his collegiate debut on Friday after coming straight from Amarillo (NAHL). Peterson is a 6'3 defender from Marquette.

IRON MAN

Having never missed a tilt, Nardi laced up his skates in his 150th career game when the Wildcats opened their season against St. Thomas. The senior captain picked up the primary assist on the first goal of the night for his 100th career point. Skating in 169 straight games, he is the NMU all-time leader in consecutive games played.
 

PRESEASON RANKINGS

The Wildcats, having come one win shy of the 2020-21 NCAA Tournament, were picked to finish fourth in the CCHA as announced by the conference in late September.

2021-22 CAPTAINS

Joseph Nardi and Ben Newhouse will renew their leadership roles this season as Nardi enters his second year as captain and third with a letter adorning his sweater. This will be Newhouse's second season as an alternate captain.

MASK UP

Northern requires a mask to be worn by all individuals, vaccinated and not vaccinated, whenever inside an NMU facility. This includes all areas of all university facilities, including all indoor athletic venues. The only exception is when an individual is actively eating or drinking.

The masking requirement includes all visitors and groups on campus.
 

YEAR FIVE UNDER COACH POTULNY

Wildcat head coach Grant Potulny enters his fifth season behind the Wildcat bench. In four previous seasons with the team and 149 games at the helm of the Wildcats, Coach Potulny boasts a 75-54-10 record and has led the team to two 20+ win seasons in his four seasons at NMU. Last season, Potulny led his Wildcat squad to its third WCHA semifinal in four years, as well as their second appearance in the tournament championship game during his tenure. In his first season at the helm of the Wildcats, Potulny's team recorded a 25-15-3 season, its first 25-win season since 2001-02, and advanced to the WCHA Championship game.

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