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hoc
1
Northern Mich. NMU 1-7-1, 1-4-0
6
Winner St. Thomas (MN) UST 5-5-1, 3-2-0
Northern Mich. NMU
1-7-1, 1-4-0
1
Final
6
St. Thomas (MN) UST
5-5-1, 3-2-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 F
Northern Mich. NMU 0 1 0 1
St. Thomas (MN) UST 1 3 2 6

Game Recap: Hockey |

Tommies Overpower Wildcats

NMU's largest loss by margin since 3/12/22 (8-1 vs Minnesota State)

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. - The Northern Michigan University men's hockey team finished its road series with the St. Thomas Tommies, losing by a margin of 6-1.

The Wildcats were never in this one, except for maybe the first 10 minutes. It was all NMU to start the first half of the opening frame, outshooting the Tommies 4-0 before the Tommies were sprung on a breakaway and scored on their first shot of the game.

 Noah Prokop scored in the opening minute of the second, Grant Slukynsky scored the second goal of his career, and the 'Cats had a glimmer of hope. But, just like in previous matchups, the Wildcats gave up a spurty pair of goals almost immediately after, as the Tommies made it 4-1 with two goals in 30 seconds.

Another goal in the opening minutes of the third period sealed the deal, and the Wildcats would go on to drop the decision by a score of 6-1.

The Wildcats fall to 1-6-1 overall and 1-3-0 in the CCHA, and the Tommies improve to 4-5-1 overall and 2-2-0 in conference play.

Cat Nips
  • Grant Slukynsky scored the second goal of his career and now moves T3 on the 'Cats in goals scored
  • Both Zach Michaelis and Michael Mesic recorded assists
  • Beni Halasz was pulled after 40 minutes, giving up four goals on 20 shots. Charlie Glockner came in relief, giving up two goals on five shots
  • Viking Gustafsson Nyberg led all skaters with five blocks
  • The 'Cats went 3/3 on the PK, including killing a full five-minute major. The 'Cats went 9/9 on the PK for the weekend
  • This marks the worst NMU loss by margin since 3/12/22 (1-8 vs Minnesota State, CCHA Semifinals)
How It Happened
1st Period
It was all 'Cats to start the period, as the green and gold outshot the Tommies 4-0 just under 10 minutes into the frame. Out of nowhere, Luke Manning was sprung on a breakaway and beat Halasz through the five-hole on the first shot from the Tommies.

After the breakaway goal, the wind seemed to switch directions and catch the sails of the Tommies. The 'Cats PK continued to be successful, however, killing the only infraction of the period and not allowing a single shot on target.

The 'Cats skated to the locker room with a slight edge in shots, with seven on target to UST's six.

2nd Period
In the first minute of the middle frame, Lucas Wahlin made a sweet move around a defender and fed a wide-open Noah Prokop who made no mistake in burying his chance.

Grant Slukynsky broke behind the defense while short-handed. He was harassed from behind, was barely able to get a backhand shot off, and the 'Cats stayed scoreless. 

Slukynsky wouldn't be staved off for long, as Michael Mesic sprung Zach Michaelis and Slukynsky on a two-on-one. Michaelis fed Slukynsky with a sweet saucer pass, and Grant made no mistake to finish his second breakaway chance on the backhand from in tight.

Scoring in spurts has hurt the 'Cats previously this year, and it happened again shortly after the 'Cats cut into the deficit. Not two minutes later, the Tommies score two goals in under 30 seconds to regain a cushion, this time three goals.

3rd Period
The third period saw a change in goal, as Charlie Glockner entered in relief for Beni Halasz. The Tommies struck once again in the first two minutes of the frame, and the Tommie lead was now four. 

A mad scramble in front lead to the Tommies scoring once again, making their lead five.

Up Next
The Wildcats return to home ice, where they will take on Lake Superior State in the first game of the Cappo Cup
 
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