MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University men's hockey team welcomed the Lake Superior State Lakers to the Berry Events Center for game one of the Cappo Cup series, sinking the Lakers 6-4. Captain Artem Shlaine netted his first career hat trick as a Wildcat, fueling the 'Cats over the Lakers in this high-scoring affair. 

Despite being down 1-0 going into the second period, the 'Cats scored three times in both the second and the third period. Michael Van Unen scored his first goal back from injury to start the NMU scoring, followed by Michael Mesic and Shlaine's first. The Lakers scored 15 seconds into the third and then took the lead three minutes later, but another three-goal surge was on the horizon for the 'Cats. Shaline completed his hat trick to give the 'Cats a 5-4 lead, and Michael Colella scored his first of the season to seal the deal with an empty-net goal.

The 'Cats now improve to 2-6-2 overall and 2-3-0 in conference play, and the Lakers fall to 5-4-0 overall and 2-1-0 in conference games.

Cat Nips

• Artem Shlaine scored his first career hat trick, leading all skaters in goals and points. Shlaine was clinical in the face-off circle, winning 11 of 16 draws
• Michael Van Unen and Michael Colella both registered their first goal and point of the season and Michael Mesic scored his second goal of the year
• With an assist for Andre Ghantous, he now moves to 136 career points, passing Ron Chyzowski for 22nd in career points as a Wildcat
• Plenty of 'Cats found the score sheet, as 12 different skaters recorded at least one point
• Michael Van Unen continued to put his body on the line, blocking eight shots sent his way. Aiden Gallacher was next among skaters with three
• Beni Halasz stopped 16/20, a .800 SV%
• The 'Cats outshot the Lakers 25-21, won 33 faceoffs to LSSU's 26, and blocked 18 shots to LSSU's 11
• The 'Cats went 1/4 on the PP, and 1/3 on the PK

How It Happened
1st Period
The 'Cats thought they opened the scoring, as Artem Shlaine beat Langenegger up over the glove hand. The puck hit the back of the net, but a Lake State defender knocked the net off its moorings right before the puck crossed the line, and the score remained even.

The Lakers opened the scoring with just over a minute left in the period, as Jared Westcott went streaking down the right side, made a move to the forehand, and went bar down to open the scoring.

Though trailing on the scoreboard, the 'Cats outshot the Lakers 8-7 in the opening frame. The 'Cats were successful on its first penalty kill of the evening, won 11 draws to LSSU's six, and blocked six shots to LSSU's three.

2nd Period
The Lakers almost struck to open the frame as Teleguine streaked in on Beni Halasz, he made a move to the backhand and missed the net.

Kevin Marx Noren almost tied the game for the 'Cats, as he ripped a one-timer from the left circle that rang the post past the blocker hand of Langenegger. 

It wasn't long after the post was hit that Michael Van Unen, in his first game back from injury, streaked down the right side and beat Langenegger on the far side, tying the game at one.

Not two minutes later, Shlaine found the back of the net and this time it counted. A shot from the point rebounded off the back wall and found its way into the slot. Shlaine was on the spot to corral the puck and deposit it into the back of the net, giving the 'Cats a one-goal lead. 

The second-period scoring frenzy continued for the 'Cats, as Connor Eddy made a power move behind the net in an attempt to finish a wrap-around. The rebound spurted right to the stick of Michael Mesic, who was in the right place at the right time in the slot and buried his chance over the glove of Langenegger, extending the lead to two.

The Lakers cut back into the Wildcat lead, as Westcott finished off a slick passing play a man up, scoring the first special-teams goal of the weekend.

3rd Period
It took 15 seconds for the Lakers to tie the score, as Harry Roy sent a seeing-eye shot through traffic that deceived Halasz, tying the game at three-a-piece.

The Lakers earned a power play opportunity, and Wetcott slid a pass from right to left to find Tritt open in the slot, giving LSSU a one-goal lead with their second power-play goal.

Not even thirty seconds later, Artem Shlaine picked up his second goal of the evening. A Colby Enns point shot redirected off Grant Slukynsky's shin pads and landed on the stick Shlaine, who had a wide-open net to look at, tying the game at fours. 

The Wildcats broke through on the power play with Artem Shlaine completing his hat trick. Andre Ghantous galloped behind the Laker net and slipped a pass to Shlaine who was unattended in the slot, and he found a hole through Langenegger.

The Lakers pulled their goalie in an effort to tie the game, but a miscue at the blue line sprung Michael Colella on a breakaway with an empty net, as he put the finishing touches on the Wildcat win. 

Up Next
Game two of the Cappo Cup is back in the Berry tomorrow with puck drop at 6:07 p.m.