MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Wildcats are set to square off against U.P. rival the Michigan Tech Huskies this weekend for a home-and-home series. Friday's contest will be held in Marquette, followed by Saturday's contest in Houghton. 

The 'Cats have seen the Huskies three times this season, one being a 7-2 exhibition win as the 'Cats were returning from the winter recess. In the first season series, the 'Cats split with the Huskies, losing 2-4 in Houghton before winning 3-1 on home ice.

In a very important series between one of college hockey's best rivalries, the Wildcats (8-13-2 overall, 6-9-1 CCHA, 20 pts) are sixth in the CCHA and sit six points back of the Huskies (11-11-5 overall, 8-7-1 CCHA, 26 pts), making this a heightened series as the regular season dwindles

Grant Potulny Weekly Press Conference - 1/30/24

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Friday, February 2 - vs Michigan Tech at 7:07 PM
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Saturday, February 3 - at Michigan Tech at 6:07 PM 
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Last Time vs the Huskies
The 'Cats split the season series back in December, dropping game one in Houghton 2-4 before defending home ice on Saturday with a 3-1 decision.

Both Colby Enns and Reilly Funk scored their first goals of the season in Houhgton's 4-2 loss, and then Rylan Van Unen, Aiden Gallacher, and Josh Zinger scored for the 'Cats in their 3-1 victory on Saturday. Funk led the 'Cats in points in the weekend series (1-2--3), followed by Artem Shlaine (0-2--2). Goalie Beni Halasz made 53 saves and posted a .914 SV% in two games. 

Looking at the Wildcats
The Wildcats are coming off a weekend in Mankato, where the 'Cats earned two points in a shootout win on Friday. Matvei Kabanov scored the go-ahead goal in the second period before finishing off the game with his nifty move in the third round of the shootout. Jack Perbix recorded his first goal for the 'Cats, and the trio of Connor Eddy, Gallacher, and Shlaine all recorded points. 

The 'Cats currently sit sixth in the CCHA standings, seven points out of a home playoff spot and six back of the Huskies, making this series critical to earn as many conference points as possible. Despite a quiet weekend in Mankato, Andre Ghantous leads the Wildcats with 23 points (7-16) in 24 games. Ghantous is also the active leading scorer against Tech, where he has 13 points in 23 games against the Huskies (5-8--13).

In conference play, the Wildcats currently lead the CCHA in blocks (242) and short-handed goals (3). 

Cat Nips

• Andre Ghantous has been nominated for the 2024 Hobey Baker award. You can vote for Ghantous here
• Andre Ghantous leads all active NCAA skaters in points (51-96--147) in 160 games played. Ghantous currently sits 18th in career points, T-35 in career goals, T-12 in career assists, and T9 in career games played in NMU program history. 
• Ghantous leads the 'Cats in scoring against the Huskies (5-8--13), followed by Artem Shlaine (0-4--4), Rylan Van Unen (3-0--3), and Josh Zinger (1-2--3).
• Michael Van Unen is one block away from reaching 300 career blocks. He has 53 blocks in 20 games against the Huskies, most among active 'Cats skaters. 
• The 'Cats are 3-4-0 against the Huskies the last two seasons. In that frame: the 'Cats have averaged 2.14 G/G, 2.57 GA/G, a .926 SV%, are 2/24 on the PP (8.3%) and  24/28 on the PK (85.7%) 
• At home: the 'Cats are 7-3-1, average 3.0 G/G and 2.3 GA/G, .914 SV%, 55.5 FO%, a 21.1 PP% and an 85.7 PK%.The 'Cats have scored a PPG in two straight home games, and have only allowed two PPGs in their previous eight games (23/25, 92% in that frame)
• On the road: the 'Cats are 1-10-2, average 2.1 G/G and 4.4 GA/G, .867 SV%, 48.6 FO%, a 19.3 PP% and a 69.6 PK%. The 'Cats have scored one PPG and have allowed 10 PPGs in the previous eight road games.
• The 'Cats are 5-6-0 when scoring first, 3-7-3 when the opponent scores first, 7-1-1 when leading after two periods, and 2-2 in one-goal games.
• The race to three goals will be crucial this weekend; when scoring three or more goals this season, the 'Cats are 7-2-1, and the Huskies are 9-2-1. Conversely, the 'Cats are 1-11-2 and the Huskies are 3-9-4 when scoring two or fewer goals. 

Looking at the Huskies
The Huskies are coming off a series split against the Lake State Lakers, dropping game one 3-1 before winning 1-0 on Saturday. Isaac Gordon scored the lone goal for the Huskies on Friday, followed by Ryland Mosley's game-winner and Blake Pietila's 26-save shutout on Saturday.

Gordon, who leads the Huskies in scoring (13-10--23), was honored by the League as CCHA's Rookie of the Week for his efforts against the Lakers. With a goal and assist in two games, Gordon is now riding a four-game point streak (2-2--4) and has five points in his last six games (3-2--5). Ryland Mosley (12-8--20) is second in scoring for the Huskies, and Logan Pietila leads the Huskies in career points against the 'Cats (8-7--15, 23 games). Blake Pietila is tied for first in the CCHA in games played and wins, first in saves, second in SV%, and third in GAA among goalies who have played 10 or more games.