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MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Wildcats will head to Lake Superior State this coming weekend for the first round of the CCHA Playoffs. This follows a weekend split with Ferris State University.
It is a best-of-three series at the Taffy Abel Arena. Game time is set for 6:07 p.m. EST., March 4-6, 2022.
AGAINST THE LAKERS
Northern Michigan has gone 76-51-13 with the Cappo Cup rivals from the east end of the Upper Peninsula. NMU split the last series with LSSU, which was held in Marquette. The Lakers prevailed on Friday night winning 6-1. The 'Cats answered back on Saturday coming back and winning 2-1 in overtime. David Keefer scored the game-winning goal.
This series was a memorable one for many reasons. Hampus Eriksson matched up with his former teammates. This time, at home dressed in green and gold. On Friday night, David Keefer suited up for his 100th career game, and Hank Crone Recorded his 25th assist this season. Saturday, Ben Newhouse recorded his fifth goal of the season. Charlie Glockner grabbed an assist, his first one of his career.
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 coming off a split with Ferris State in the final matchup of regular season play. The 'Cats were victorious Friday night 7-1 and wrapped up Saturday falling 4-2. AJ Vanderbeck wasted no time on Friday dumping the puck into the net, only 1:18 into the game. He then scored his second goal that night with 4:09 to go in the second. David Keefer also put some key stats on the board. He scored his first goal of the night with 12:18 remaining in the first and followed up with a second-period goal at 12:45. Saturday night, Trevor Cosgrove scored a power play goal in the second. Hampus Eriksson made the game 3-2, finding the net with 2:25 left. Charlie Glockner made 51 saves on the weekend.
The team will now go into playoffs with a regular-season record of 18-14-1 and a CCHA record of 12-13-1.
'CAT FACTS
- Vanderbeck is second nationally in goals with 22.
- Hank Crone owns 28 assists in 27 games played is ranked third nationally. His 40 points also stand at sixth in the world of DI collegiate hockey with 12 goals and 28 assists.
- Averaging 1.48 points per game, Crone is third in the nation in the category.
- With 99 blocks in 33 games played, Ben Newhouse leads the CCHA in that category. Fellow Wildcat blue liner Michael Van Unen sits 3rd with 60.
- 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 eight goals on the man advantage rank him tied for seventh nationally in power-play goals.
- Erikkson and Crone are tied for 19 nationally for shorthanded goals, as they are the only ones for NMU.
- Mikey Colella's 15 goals ranked 19 overall.
- Andre Ghantous' 24 assists are the 12th-best in the nation.
- The team is averaging 3.62 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 Eriksson, 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.
Days after the Bemidji road series the Wildcats signed on Braden Golisek. Golisek was signed on and dressed for the series against Michigan Tech. He is a 5'10" goaltender 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 76-55-10 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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