MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. - The Northern Michigan University hockey team dropped game two of the weekend by a score of 4-2 despite late-game efforts to come back. The Wildcats fall to 14-16-0 overall and 10-12-0 in CCHA play, and the Tommies improve to 9-19-2 overall and 8-12-2 in CCHA play.

Joey Larson and Mikey Colella scored for the Wildcats, giving Larson nine and Colella five goals on the year, respectively. Connor Eddy and Colby Enns picked up helpers on the goals, and Beni Halasz stopped 30/33, a .909 SV%. 

Josh Eernisse scored twice for the Tommies, along with Ryan O'Neill and Mack Byers. Aaron Trotter stopped 22 of 23 for a .913 SV%.

How It Happened
Just like last night, there was a whistle in the first two minutes of the game as the 'Cats were flagged for an early whistle for roughing. The penalty was reviewed for a major penalty, and it was determined that it was a major. Halfway through the penalty kill, the Tommies were whistled for a minor and we skated four on four for the second night in a row to start the game. 

Immediately after the whistle against the Tommies, Beni Halasz had to stay sharp to stop a breakaway early, making a great pad stop moving east to west. The 'Cats would go on to kill the rest of the major penalty and return to five-on-five action, as their penalty kill proved stellar early in the contest. 

Some great pressure from Kristof Papp and AJ Vanderbeck force a turnover at the Tommies' blue line and they found themselves on a 2-on-0 short-handed breakaway, but the puck hopped over Papp's stick and was unable to convert. The 'Cats would go on to kill the remainder of the penalty. 

The Tommies struck first in game two after a shot from Jake Brancinni landed right on the stick of Josh Eernisse who had a wide-open net to look at. 

The 'Cats thought they tied the game in the dying seconds of the first, but it was determined the puck entered the net using a kicking motion. The Wildcats skated to the locker room down a goal on the board, 2/2 on the PK, ahead in the faceoff dot (10-9), and were outshot 11-3. 

There was a scuffle in front of the net in the first few minutes, and the 'Cats challenged for a facemask major penalty. The officials determined there was no facemask on the play, so teams skated five on five and the 'Cats lost their timeout. 

The Wildcats found themselves on a powerplay that generated some good chances and carried the pressure over into the next few minutes of five-on-five as the momentum was all in favor of the 'Cats, piling up six shots to St. Thomas' zero since the start of the frame.

The 'Cats went to the man advantage, and immediately their presence was felt as two 'Cats were left wide open in the slot and Trotter had to make two spectacular saves to keep the 'Cats off the board. The Tommies would get back to five-on-five. 

Goalie Beni Halasz went to play the puck behind his own goal, but the pass missed his defender and landed right on Josh Eernisse's stick and he fired it into the cage before Halasz could recover. This was Eernisse's second goal of the game, giving the Tommies a 2-0 lead in the final minutes of the middle frame. 

With 30 seconds left in the frame, an offensive zone draw won by Connor Eddy landed on the stick of Joey Larson, and he found himself all alone between the hash marks and fired it past the blocker of Trotter to cut the 'Cats deficit to one going into the locker room. This was Larson's ninth of the year, and fourth goal in five games. 

The green and gold would skate to the locker room down a goal after outshooting the opposition 14-7 in the second frame.

The third period started fast with chances up and down the rink from both sides, and Beni Halasz had to stay sharp to keep his club within one. The 'Cats would take two penalties in the first four minutes, and the 'Cats had their work cut out for them with a long five-on-three advantage for the Tommies. Backed by strong defense and stellar goaltending, the 'Cats returned to five-on-five.

Some great forechecking from Andre Ghantous leads to a point shot from Colby Enns that was perfectly deflected by Mikey Colella in front of the net and he beat the goaltender to tie the game at two apiece. This was Colella's fifth goal of the season with Enns and David Keefer picking up helpers on the goal.

The 'Cats were sent to the box for a minor penalty again, but the special teams pulled through and kept the game even with just over five minutes to go in the game. Moments later Mack Byers streaked down the wing and Beni Halasz had to make a sharp glove save on a dangerous chance. 

The Tommies gained the zone with an odd-man rush and a trailing Ryan O'Neil got the puck and fired a shot past goalie Beni Halasz to give the Tommies the lead back with two minutes to go. The 'Cats would pull the goalie in efforts to tie the game, and the Tommies scored with tenths of seconds left to seal the deal.

Post Game Notes

• Joey Larson recorded his ninth goal of the season, giving him 20 points in his freshman campaign. Larson now has five points in his last five games (4G, 1A).
• Mikey Colella also lit the lamp, giving him five on the season and 14 points. 
• Connor Eddy and Colby Enns picked up helpers, and Beni Halasz stopped 30 of 33, giving him a .909 SV%. 
• The 'Cats penalty kill was 5/5 on the evening, and went a perfect 10/10 over the weekend.
• The 'Cats fall to 8-8-0 on the road, 6-11-0 when outshot by the opponent, 4-11-0 when the opponent scores first, 1-13-0 when scoring two goals or fewer, and 0-12-0 when trailing after two periods. 
• Josh Eernisse scored twice for the Tommies, and Ryan O'Neill scored the game-winner. 

Scoring Summary 
1st
15:16 - Josh Eernisse (UST, 0-1) - Assisted by Jake Branccini.

2nd
16:16 - Josh Eernisse (UST, 0-2) - Unassisted.
19:22 - Joey Larson (NMU, 1-2) - Assisted by Connor Eddy.    ``

3rd
10:44 - Mikey Colella (NMU, 2-2) - Assisted by Colby Enns.
17:56 - Ryan O'Neill (UST, 2-3) - Assisted by Cooper Gay
20:00 - Mack Byers (UST ENG, 2-4) - Unassisted.

Up Next
The 'Cats return home for a series against the Ferris State Bulldogs on Friday, February 17, and Saturday, February 18.