MARQUETTE, Mich. - The NMU men's hockey team wraps up 2023 calendar with a weekend series against CCHA rival the Michigan Tech Huskies.
Game one will be Friday, December 8, at 7:07 p.m. in Houghton at the Macinnes Ice Arena before game two is held back in Marquette on Saturday, December 9, at 6:07 p.m. in the Berry Events Center.
The CCHA standings are jam-packed, with only six points separating first and sixth place, so every game is critical in the standings. The Wildcats come into the weekend sitting fifth in the CCHA with a 4-4-0 conference record, amassing 12 points. The Huskies currently sit second in the standings with a 5-3-0 conference record, amassing 16 points.
Make sure to bring your stuffed animals to the game on Saturday, as the Wildcats are holding the annual "Teddy Bear Toss". During an intermission, fans will be encouraged to throw stuffed animals on the ice as a donation to the Salvation Army. These stuffed animals will then be delivered to local children and families in need.
It is also a "White Out" on Saturday, so show your support for the 'Cats and wear white.
Both games will be televised, with Friday's contest held on FoxUP and Saturday's contest held on TV6.
Hear From Grant Potulny
"The thing for us and our group is quiet the noise and play within ourselves. We talk about playing at a high flat-line with not a lot of erratic emotion to it, and I think that is going to be really important."
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, December 8 - at Michigan Tech at 7:07 p.m.
Live Stats | Watch on Flo | Watch on FoxUP | Live Audio
Saturday, December 9 - vs Michigan Tech at 6:07 p.m. - Teddy Bear Toss
Tickets | Live Stats | Watch on Flo | Watch on TV6 | Live Audio
A Look at the Michigan Tech Huskies
Sitting with a 5-3-0 record in conference play, the Huskies have found success recently as they are 7-3 over their last ten matchups. Though playing well, the games of late have all been close; their last six matches have all come as one-goal decisions, with five of those the scoreline being 3-2.
The Huskies are led by senior Ryland Mosley (8-7--15) and freshman Isaac Gordon (9-6--15), with the two of them combining for three of the team's seven game-winning goals and seven of the team's 12 power-play goals. Freshman Max Koskipirtti (3-8--11) and senior Logan Pietila (5-6--11) are next on the team in points. Those four skaters have accounted for 25 of the Huskies' 45 goals scored. Fifth-year alternate captain Blake Pietila is expected to be in between the pipes for the Huskies, where he is coming off of CCHA Goalie of the Week honors for the previous week, and is sitting on a .907 SV% and a 2.73 GAA.
The Huskies are 12/56 (21.4%) on the PP and 42/56 (75.0%) on the PK this season, but the PK has stepped up in recent history; the Huskies are 10/11 (90.9%) in their last five games, where they are 4-1 in that frame. The Huskies record are similar at home as they are away, with a 4-5-1 home record compared to a 3-2-2 road record this season. Controlling play and keeping play in the Husky end will be key this weekend, as they are 1-4-1 when they are outshot by their opponent.
The last time the 'Cats met the Huskies was in the CCHA Semifinals in Houghton, where the 'Cats beat the Huskies 4-0.
Beni Halasz posted a 44-save shutout,
Andre Ghantous registered two points, and both
Rylan Van Unen and
Michael Van Unen scored goals.
NMU National Ranks
- Andre Ghantous leads all active NCAA skaters in career points (144), assists (94), and is third in goals (50)
- Michael Van Unen leads all active NCAA skaters in career blocks with 299
- Jack Perbix is third among active NCAA skaters in games played with 157, and Ghantous is sixth with 152
- Ghatnous is T7 in points with 20 (6-14--20), and his 14 assists are T5
- Josh Zinger is T8 in points among defensemen (2-12--14), and fifth among sophomore defenders
- Aiden Gallacher leads the nation in blocks with 42
- The Wildcats are first in the nation in blocked shots (260), third in power-play goals (17), 11th in PP% (23.9%), and their 52.0 faceoff% is only 3.8% away from the leader (Omaha, 55.8%).
Cat Nips
- Andre Ghantous has 11 points in his last 10 games (3-8--11), and Michael Colella has three goals his last four games
- Both Kristof Papp (3-6--9) and Artem Shlaine (6-3--9) lead the 'Cats in points against CCHA opponents
- Connor Eddy is riding a three-game point streak (2-1--3)
- Since November 10, the 'Cats are 5-2-1. Since then, the PK is 25/30 (83.3%) and more recently, the 'Cats are 11/12 (91.7%) on the PK the last three games.
- Beni Halasz holds a .920 SV% at even strength and a .912 SV% against conference opponents. In his career against the Huskies, Halasz holds a .941 SV% and 2.20 GAA in five games
- Andre Ghantous is currently 19th in career points at NMU, two points behind Darin Olver (2003-07), and his 94 assists are 19th all-time, tied with Eric Ponath (1979-83).
- The 'Cats are 5-2-1 at home this season and hold a 6-1-0 record when leading after two periods
- The 'Cats have found success in the second and third periods, scoring 40 of their 46 goals in the final two frames (one goal in overtime - 41 of 46 in the 2nd, the 3rd, and OT)
- Three is the lucky number, as the 'Cats are 5-2-1 when scoring 3+ goals this season; in relation, the Huskies are 2-5-1 when allowing 3 or more goals
2023-24 CCHA Honors
Pre-Season:
Week Two (10/13-10/14):
Week Three (10/20-10/21):
Week Four (10/27-10/28):
Week Six (11/10-11/11):
Week Seven (11/17-11/18):
Week Eight (11/24-11/25):
