MARQUETTE, Mich. - The NMU men's hockey team completed the sweep of the Lake State Lakers on Saturday, sinking the Lakers 4-3 in overtime to take a 2-0 lead in the Cappo Cup season series and five of a possible six points from the weekend.
Josh Zinger scored the game-winner in overtime, the first career game-winning goal of his collegiate career.
Kristof Papp scored two goals and assisted on Zinger's game-winner, his third multi-goal game as a member of the 'Cats second three-point night.
Charlie Glockner made his first start of the season, making 24 saves on 27 shots.
The 'Cats dominated the first period, but the Lakers scored a late-period four-on-four goal to go into the locker room for the second consecutive time. The Lakers had a chance early in the second to take momentum in their favor, but Glockner made two huge saves on the PK to keep the 'Cats within on. NMU would go on to score twice in the second, with goals coming less than two minutes apart, building on the momentum gained from the goaltender.
The 'Cats started the third frame on their heels, allowing a goal two minutes in, and Lake State seemed to have life. On the ensuing shift, however, Papp scored to give the 'Cats the lead once again, a terrific response from Potulny's top line a minute later. The 'Cats thought this one was put away, but Westcott fired home his second of the evening with 22 seconds left in the frame, sending the game to overtime.
It was all 'Cats in the overtime frame, and Zinger capped off the effort as he finished his chance from a slick feed from Ghantous.
The Wildcats now improve to 3-6-1 overall and 3-3-0 conference record with 10 points. The Lakers fall to 5-5-0 overall and 2-2-0 in conference with five points.
Hear from Grant Potulny
Cat Nips
- Josh Zinger scored his first career game-winning goal
- Kristof Papp scored two goals and one assist for three points, his first multi-goal game of the season. Papp recorded five points on the weekend (2-3--5)
- Connor Eddy scored his first goal of the season, giving him two points over the weekend
- Artem Shlaine picked up another multi-point game with two assists, giving him five points on the weekend as well (3-2--5). Shlaine continued his dominant faceoff play, winning 18 of 26 draws
- Michael Van Unen blocked seven shots, pacing all skaters
- Charlie Glockner made his first start of the season, making 24 saves on 27 shots
- Shots were an even 27 a side, the 'Cats won 37 faceoffs to LSSU's 28, blocked 19 shots to LSSU's 15, and were perfect on the PK
1st Period
The teams were both whistled for minor penalties and skated four-a-side. Jared Westcott stole the puck from a defenseman and walked in alone on
Charlie Glockner, making a move to his backhand and elevating the puck past the blocker of Glockner to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead in the final five minutes of the frame.
Down a goal, the 'Cats skated to the locker room even in shot attempts with 16-a-piece, with the Lakers outshooting the 'Cats with nine on target to the 'Cats eight. The 'Cats won eight faceoffs to the Lakers six and blocked four shots.
2nd Period
The Lakers were awarded the first power play opportunity of the evening, and
Charlie Glockner made two crucial saves in succession, first off a one-timer and second making a strong push going left to right fully outstretched, to keep the Wildcats only down one.
Just over halfway through the frame,
Kristof Papp was parked at the back door in a scrum. A shot from the point was deflected, causing Langenegger to lose track of the puck. Papp collected the rebound in the crease and corralled the puck to the back of the net.
Not two minutes later,
Rylan Van Unen sprung
Connor Eddy on a clean breakaway with a perfect outlet pass. Eddy needed no move to beat Langenegger, as he fired a shot from the hash marks that cleanly beat the goalie over his stick hand, giving the 'Cats a one goal lead.
The 'Cats controlled the second period, scoring twice and outshooting the Lakers 12-6. The faceoff success continued for the green and gold, winning 13 draws to LSSU's nine, and the 'Cats killed the only short-handed situation they were faced with.
3rd Period
Two minutes into the frame, Grant Hindman took a pass from Harrison Roy just above the left circle. Hindman took a look and fired a blistering wrist shot over the stick side of Glockner, tying the game at two.
It took a minute and a half for the 'Cats to respond, as Papp gained the blueline and walked into the hash marks unattended. He had a clean look at goal, took his shot, and cleanly beat Langenegger low past the glove hand.
Lake State played spoiler with the net empty and 22 seconds left, as a set faceoff play landed on the stick of Westcott who fired home a seeing-eye shot from the point, tying the game at three and sending us to an extra frame.
Overtime
Andre Ghantous corralled a drop pass from
Josh Zinger, who he walked in on goal with two-on-one. Ghantous walked his defender with a slick toe-drag, fed Zinger a cross-crease saucer pass from his backhand, and Zinger roofed his chance past the outstretched Langenegger to win the game for the Wildcats.
Up Next
The 'Cats remain home next weekend, hosting Alaska Fairbanks on November 17 and 18.
