MARQUETTE, Mich. -The Northern Michigan University hockey team returns to the newly renovated Berry Events Center to open up the 2023-24 conference slate of games, starting with the Ferris State Bulldogs.
The Wildcats come into the weekend with an 0-3-1 overall record, dropping both its opening weekend series to ranked teams in Minnesota Duluth (3-0-2) and Arizona State (4-0-0). The Bulldogs come into the weekend with a 1-2-1 overall record, most recently a weekend with Western Michigan that saw them go 0-1-1.
Follow Along
Make sure to follow @NMUHockey on X, formerly known as Twitter, to get updates throughout the week leading up to the games and for live updates while the 'Cats are on the ice.
Friday, October 27 - at 7:07 p.m.
Tickets | Live Stats | Watch on Flo | Live Audio | Game Notes
Saturday, October 28 - at 6:07 p.m.
Tickets | Live Stats | Watch on Flo | Live Audio | Game Notes
Hear From Grant Potulny
"We're in a position right now, that I am focusing on us this week. Will we worry about Ferris? Yes. But what I think the bulk of what this week has to be is getting our game right."
A Look at the Ferris State Bulldogs
The Bulldogs have gotten off to a decent start with its non-conference schedule, including a home split against Miami Ohio; followed by a home-and-home series with Western Michigan that saw the Bulldogs drop game one in Kalamazoo and then tie in Big Rapids. The Bulldog's last game was a 9-0 exhibition win against the Grand Valley State men's club team on October 20th.
Sophomore defenseman Travis Shoudy currently leads the Bulldogs in points and assists with five through the first four games, and is currently riding a four-game point streak. Senior forwards Antonio Venuto and Jason Brancheau are leading the way in the goal collum with three and two, respectively. Noah Giesbrecht has been getting the majority of starts through four games and holds a 4.97 GAA and .861 SV% through three starts.
Through the first four games, the Bulldogs are 3/16 (18.8%) on the PP and 9/14 (64.3%) on the PK, both not great numbers. The scoring trend is third-period goals, as the Bulldogs have scored seven times in the third frame compared to a combined six goals through periods one and two.
Historically, the Wildcats have been on the winning side against the Bulldogs, going 21-2-1 in the last 24 meetings, outscoring the opposition 117 to 67 (4.86 to 2.79 avg. goals in that frame). Most recently, the Wildcats swept the Bulldogs at home with wins of 9-2 and 8-3.
National Ranks
- Tanner Latsch leads the nation in goals (7) and PPGs (6) heading into the weekend. His eight points rank T8 among all skaters and is firing at a ridiculous 53.8% shooting percentage, first among skaters with 10+ shots.
- Andre Ghantous has seven points through four games, T15 nationally
- Among defensemen, Josh Zinger is T2 in assists and T5 in points with six (0-6--6)
- Aiden Gallacher is T11 in the nation with blocks (12)
- The Wildcats have 13 goals through two weeks, seventh nationally among teams that have only played three or more games
- The Wildcats were effective in the faceoff circle, owning a 53.7% faceoff percentage, good for ninth nationally
- The 'Cats have scored eight PPGs and own a PP% of 30.8%. The eight goals rank third, and the PP% ranks fifth
Cat Nips
- Over his career, Andre Ghantous has recorded 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points in 16 games against the Bulldogs. Ghantous has also recorded a +12 rating with five PPGs and one GWG. Both Kristof Papp and Artem Shlaine have also put up good numbers against the Buldogs in their careers, going 4-4--8 and 1-6--7 in four games each, respectively.
- Both Tanner Latsch and Josh Zinger come into the weeked riding four-game point streaks, both the longest of their collegiate career. Latsch is 7-1--8, and Zinger is 0-6--6 in their first four. Their respective four game point-streaks are eighth in the nation, two behind Seamus Casey on Michigan, and one behind six other active streaks of five games
- Projected starter Beni Halasz has faced the Bulldgs four times in his career, going 3-0-0 with a .891 SV% and 3.81 GAA (he was pulled in one of the games, Rico DiMatteo came in relief and was credited with the loss.) Charlie Glockner has faced the Bulldogs twice in his career, with a 1-1-0 record and holds a .927 SV% and 2.04 GAA
- Going back to the 2019-2020 season, the Wildcats are 14-2-0 against the Bulldogs and are out-scoring them 87-53, along with holding a 23.8 PP% and a 78.6 PK%. Last season, the 'Cats went 3-1 with a 39.1 PP% with nine goals on 23 attempts, and a 87.0 PK%, going 20/23 a man down.
- Holding a 0-3-1 record, the 'Cats are 0-2-0 when scoring first and being tied after the first period, along with a 0-3-1 record when trailing after two. Three is usually the magic number when it comes to scoring, but the 'Cats are 0-1-1 when scoring three or more goals. Its early in the season, so no need to panic at these numbers just yet, but something to keep an eye on
2023-24 CCHA Honors
Pre-Season:
Week Two (10/13-10/14):
Week Three (10/20-10/21):
