MARQUETTE, Mich. - The NMU men's hockey team will look to keep its hot streak rolling as the team prepares for the final home-and-home series against its UP rival, Michigan Tech.

Puck drop between the Wildcats (4-19-1, 3-12-1 CCHA) and the Huskies (13-9-2, 9-5-2 CCHA) is set for 7:07 PM Friday from the John Macinnes Student Ice Arena and 6:07 PM Saturday from the Berry Events Center, with streaming coverage on Midco Sports Plus and radio coverage from 100.3 The Point.

Both games will be publicly televised alongside the usual Midco Sports Plus streaming, with both matchups being carried by FoxUP.

Saturday's game is a "White Out", encouraging fans to wear white to the game to "White Out the Berry". 

NMU welcomes fans to join us after the game on Saturday for the third 4th Period Party of the season, hosted by Slabz Bar and Grill. 
 

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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, January 24 - at Michigan Tech at 7:07 PM
Watch on FoxUP | Tickets | Live Stats | Watch on MidcoSports | Live Audio

Saturday, January 25 - vs Michigan Tech at 6:07 PM
Watch on FoxUP | Tickets | Live Stats | Watch on MidcoSports | Live Audio

 

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Hobey Baker Voting

• Netminder Ryan Ouellette has been nominated as a candidate for this year's Hobey Baker award.
• Awarded annually to college hockey's top player, fan-voting will run from Wednesday, January 22 until Sunday, March 9 at midnight.
• Fans can cast their vote by going to the Hobey Baker website here.

Oh How Sweep It Is

• The 'Cats went to Bemidji last weekend and swept the Beavers, winning 4-1 on Friday and 3-1 on Saturday.
• This was the first weekend sweep for the 'Cats this season, and the first sweep in Bemidji since February 13, 2021.
• Goalie Ryan Ouellette earned CCHA netminder of the week recognition after he led all CCHA netminders in wins (2), goals-against average (1.00) and save percentage (.966) last week, leading Northern Michigan to its first sweep of the season at Bemidji State. On Friday, he made 24 stops in a 4-1 Wildcats win, before turning away 33-of-34 shots in a 3-1 victory on Saturday. He did not allow a goal while at even-strength, saving all 51 shots that came his way 5-on-5.
  • Ouellette also earned his first career point with an assist. The last time an NMU netminder recorded an assist was Beni Halasz on 2/24/23 in a 4-2 win over Bowling Green.
• Freshman forward Jakub Altrichter was named CCHA freshman of the week honors after he paced conference rookies with four points last week, scoring three goals with one assist in a road sweep of Bemidji State last week. Posting a league-best +5 in the series, he had one game-winning tally, with eight shots on goal. On Friday, he scored twice, including his first collegiate goal and the eventual game-winner, in a 4-1 Wildcats win. He then collected a goal and an assist in a 3-1 victory on Saturday.

Last four games

• The Wildcats are 3-1-0 in its last four games, scoring three or more goals and allowing two or fewer in all three wins.
• NMU has not allowed a five-on-five goal against in 159 minutes and 22 seconds of playing time, equating to just shy of eight periods of hockey.
• Since January 10 (the start of the four game stretch), nationally…
  • Ryan Duguay is second in goals scored (5) and first in power-play goals (3)
  • Jakub Altrichter leads the nation in +/- (+7) and is one point shy of second among NCAA freshman for points in that span (3-3--6)
  • Tynan Ewart is second in blocks (15)
  • NMU leads the nation in blocks (98)
• Since January 10, among the CCHA…
  • Of CCHA goalies with four games played in that span, Ryan Ouellette leads conference netminders in wins (3), fewest goals against (7), SV% (.926), and is second in saves (88) and GAA (2.18)
  • NMU players hold six of the top seven spots of individual blocked shots, with Ewart (15), Rasmus Larsson (11), Billy Renfrew (9), Anthony Cliche (9), Grayden Daul (8), and Danny Ciccarello (7)

'Cats vs. Huskies

• This weekend will mark the third separate time the two sides have met this season; first being the conference opener at the start of November, and second being the 4-3 overtime win for MTU at the Great Lakes Invitational 
• The Huskies have won three straight against the 'Cats, with NMU's last win coming on February 2, 2024. NMU is 3-4-1 vs MTU in the last eight meetings.
• The 'Cats have had individual success against the Huskies this season in the three games these two have met, led by Grayden Slipec (3-1--4), Jakub Altrichter (0-4--4), and Tynan Ewart (0-3--3)
• Hobey Baker Award nominee Stiven Sardarian (2-4--6) and Max Koskipirtti (2-4--6) have found success against the 'Cats this season, with both Marcus Pederson (2-2--4) and Trevor Kukkonen (2-1--3) pitching in with a pair of goals themselves
• Apart from Ryan Manzella coming in relief for two periods at the GLI, it's been Derek Mullahy who has seen the bulk of the action against the 'Cats this season, where he has a 1.72 GAA, .918 SV%, and 1 SO in three games played.
• Since January 10, the Huskies are 2-2 and have not scored more than two goals in a game in that stretch, with both of their wins coming in 1-0 results.
  • In that four game stretch, no Husky has more than one goal and Stiven Sardarian leads the team in points (1-2--3).
  • Derek Mullahy holds a 4.67 GAA and .806 SV% in that stretch, along with being replaced 20 minutes into a 5-2 loss to Minnesota State.
  • Ryan Manzella has flourished in this frame, winning both games he has started and holding a 0.74 GAA and .972 SV% with two goals allowed and two shutouts in three total appearances.
    • Manzella's first collegiate appearance was against the 'Cats at the GLI, where in 40 minutes and change of action he made 15 saves, posting a 2.98 GAA and .882 SV%.