BOWLING GREEN, Ohio. - The NMU hockey team earned a split on the road on the back of a two-goal second period, defeating the Bowling Green Falcons by a score of 2-0.

Two goals in the second period, one from Connor Eddy and Michael Colella, proved to be enough to get the Wildcats over the Falcons in game two of the weekend series. Eddy scored a short-handed breakaway, and Michael Colella cashed in on the man advantage. Both Andre Ghantous and Kristof Papp earned assists. Beni Halasz earned his fourth career shutout and first of the season after stopping all 30 shots sent his way.

It was a successful evening for the special teams units, as the 'Cats went 1/4 on the PP and 3/3 on the PK, including the short-handed tally from Eddy. The 'Cats won 32 faceoffs to BGSUs 26, led by Papp's extraordinary night in the circle, winning 16 of 24.

The Wildcats now improve to 6-7-1 overall and 4-4-0 (12 pts) in CCHA play, and the Falcons fall to 4-10-0 overall and 2-4-0 (7 pts) in CCHA play.

Cat Nips

• Connor Eddy scored a short-handed goal, his third goal of the season and second in three games. This is the second SHG of his career
• Michael Colella scored again for the 'Cats, now his second straight game with a goal. He scored short-handed last night, and tonight struck on the power play
• Andre Ghantous registered an assist on the evening and now has six points in as many games (1-5--6)
• Kristof Papp recorded an assist, giving him back-to-back games with a point and eight points in his last six (2-6--8)
• Beni Halasz earned his fourth career shutout and first of the season, stopping all 30 shots on target
• That is back-to-back games for the 'Cats with a short-handed breakaway goal, and the second goal in three games for Eddy that comes on a breakaway after stealing the puck from a defenseman
• The 'Cats improved to 4-2-0 when scoring first, 5-5-0 when outshot by opponents, 1-6-1 on the road, 3-3-0 when tied after one period, and 7-1-0 when leading after two periods

How It Happened
1st Period
Despite chances for both teams in the up-and-down period, highlighted by a chaotic last two minutes, the teams skated to the locker room with a 0-0 tie. Shots were relatively even, with the Falcons edging the 'Cats 12-10. The 'Cats dominated the faceoff circle in the first frame, winning 11/16 as a team.

Michael Mesic led the 'Cats in both shots (5) and shots on goal (3), and both Artem Shlaine and Kristof Papp went 3/4 in the faceoff circle. 

2nd Period
Connor Eddy opened the scoring for the Wildcats, and it looked awfully familiar to goals scored recently. The 'Cats were on the PK and Eddy stole the puck to walk down on a breakaway, firing the puck five-hole past Moore to give the 'Cats a lead.

Two minutes later, Quinn Emerson had a chance to respond with a breakaway of his own but was denied by Beni Halasz.

The 'Cats were whistled for two consecutive penalties and were facing a long five-on-three. The goaltending and defense held up, and the 'Cats successfully killed the two-man advantage.

The 'Cats were awarded their own two-man advantage, and a slick passing play between Papp and Ghantous was finished off by Michael Colella for his second straight game with a goal, extending the 'Cats lead to two.

A big second period for the 'Cats, two special-team goals gave the green and gold a two-goal cushion heading into the final frame. The 'Cats went 1/2 on the PP and 3/3 on the PK, including a short-handed goal. 

3rd Period
The 'Cats played a solid final 20 minutes, holding the Falcons to a game-low eight shots in the final frame and not conceding any goals, holding onto the 2-0 win. The 'Cats went 0/2 on the PP and won 11/19 faceoffs. 

Up Next
The 'Cats return home, where they square off against soon-to-be CCHA rival Augustana Vikings on December 1 and 2, 7:07 and 6:07 p.m., respectively.