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MARQUETTE, Mich. – After a weekend off of games, the Wildcats are preparing to pack their bags for a trip to Bowling Green to take on the Falcons in a weekend series. This weekend will be the last road series of regular conference play.
 
Bowling Green sits fourth in the CCHA conference standings. 
Puck drop is set for Friday, Feb. 7, 2022, is set for 7:07 p.m EST. before another 7:07 p.m. start the following evening.
 
AGAINST THE FALCONS 
Matching up against the Falcons, the Wildcats trail just behind with a record of 54-57-11. The team hosted BGSU back in November for a conference matchup. The 'Cats took the win Friday with a 6-3 lead. They then tallied a 3-3 tie in the books for Saturday's game after they took them to a shoot-out. The 'Cats took the extra point after Mikey Colella sealed the deal with the final shot. 
 
During the last series, the Wildcats put up a total of nine goals. Three 'Cats including Mack Byers, Andre Ghantous, and AJ Vanderbeck put up two goals over the series. In addition that series was a big weekend for the Wildcats as 12 of them tallied at least one point. AJ Vanderbeck also put the first goal for the 'Cats during the shoot-out. 
 
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 last time on the ice for the 'Cats was the make-up Tuesday night game against Michigan Tech at home. The 'Cats dropped that game in a heart-wrenching 8-1 loss. Mikey Colella scored the lone goal for the 'Cats to assure they weren't shut-out.  Prior to that loss, NMU was on the road for a series against Bemidji State. The split the series taking Fridays game 2-1 and falling short 3-5 Saturday. The 'Cats played a back and fourth game Friday with a quick scoring first and battled it out the entire game looking to take the lead. With just 1:56 left in the game, David Keefer put another on the board and secured it for the Wildcats. 
 
Northern is going into this weekend with an overall record of 15-13-1, 9-12-1-1 in conference, and 4-6-0 on the road. As the 'Cats currently sit at sixth in the conference this weekend is critical for the team as they prepare for playoffs. 
 
'CAT FACTS

• Vanderbeck is tied for second nationally in goals with 19. His 135 shots are also nationally ranked first.
• Hank Crone owns 25 assists in 24 games played is ranked fourth nationally. His 34 points also stand at 10th 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. 
• With 93 blocks in 29 games played, Ben Newhouse leads the nation in the category. Fellow Wildcat blue liner Michael Van Unen sits in 14 nationally with 52 blocks.
• 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 eighth nationally in power-play goals.
• With the lone shorthanded goal for NMU thus far, Crone sits tied for 15 nationally in the category.
• Mikey Colella's 13 goals ranked 19 overall.
• Andre Ghantous' 21 assists are the 18th-best in the nation.
• The team is averaging 3.41 goals per game is ninth 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 Nadi 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 defenseman, 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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