MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Wildcats open the 2024 calendar on home ice after the winter recess with an exhibition game against the Michigan Tech Huskies.
There is only one game this weekend, the 'Cats square off against the Huskies on Saturday, January 6, at 6:07 p.m.
The 'Cats last game came from a win at home against the Huskies on December 9, 2023, where the green and gold won 3-1. The Huskies are coming off a GLI Championship, defeating Michigan State in a shootout on December 29, 2023.
Hear From Grant Potulny
"We are going to play everybody… so a good chance to get guys back in to get the rust off, and it will be another chance for guys to audition what they can do."
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.
Saturday, January 6 - vs Michigan Tech at 6:07 p.m.
Watch | Tickets | Live Stats | Live Audio
A Look at the Michigan Tech Huskies
After defeating Alaska and Michigan State to capture the 57th annual Great Lakes Invitational (GLI), the Huskies now move to 9-8-4 overall.
The Huskies swept the CCHA weekly honors with performances over the weekend, with Jack Works, Chase Pietila, and Blake Pietila all receiving honors. After recording a hat trick in the finals, Works was named Tournament MVP. Chase Pietila was named both the defenseman and rookie of the week and Blake Pietila was named to the all-tournament team after making a career-high 54 saves.
Both Ryland Mosley (11-7--18) and Isaac Gordon (10-8--18) lead the Huskies in the goals and points categories, and newly acquired Austen Swankler registered two assists in his first two games with the team. The Huskies are 16/67 (23.9%) on the power place and 52/67 (77.6%) on the penalty kill
The last time the 'Cats met the Huskies was a 3-1 win at home to close out 2023.
Rylan Van Unen,
Aiden Gallacher, and
Josh Zinger all scored for the 'Cats, and
Reilly Funk recorded two assists for his second career multi-point game. The 'Cats outshot the Huskies 29-19, went 2/2 on the PK, won 33 faceoffs to 29, and blocked 23 shots to 15.
NMU National Ranks
- Andre Ghantous leads all active NCAA skaters in career points (145), assists (95), and is fourth in goals (50)
- Michael Van Unen leads all active NCAA skaters in career blocks with 299
- Jack Perbix is fifth among active NCAA skaters in games played with 159, and Ghantous is eighth with 152
- Aiden Gallacher leads the nation in blocks with 48
- The Wildcats are second in the nation in blocked shots (303), fifth in power-play goals (17), 16th in PP% (23.9%)
Cat Nips
- Andre Ghantous has 10 points in his last 10 games (3-7--10)
- Artem Shlaine is riding a three-game point streak (0-4--4), and Reilly Funk has three points his previous two (1-2--3)
- Artem Shlaine (6-5--11) leads the 'Cats in points and goals against CCHA opponents
- Beni Halasz holds a .922 SV% at even strength and a .913 SV% against conference opponents. In his career against the Huskies, Halasz holds a .934 SV% and 2.30 GAA with one shutout in seven games
- Andre Ghantous is currently 19th in career points at NMU, one point behind Darin Olver (2003-07), and his 95 assists are 14th all-time, tied with Dean Antos, Mark Beaufait, Darin Olver, and Phil Beaulieu
- The 'Cats are 6-2-1 at home this season and hold a 7-1-0 record when leading after two periods
- The 'Cats have found success in the second and third periods, scoring 42 of their 51 goals in the final two frames (one goal in overtime - 43 of 51 in the 2nd, the 3rd, and OT)
- Three is the lucky number, as the 'Cats are 6-2-1 when scoring 3+ goals this season; in relation, the Huskies are 2-7-2 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):
