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Oliver Auyeung-Ashton vs Ohio State
Auyeung-Ashton
1
Northern Michigan NMU 0-4-0
3
Winner Ohio State OSU 2-0-0
Northern Michigan NMU
0-4-0
1
Final
3
Ohio State OSU
2-0-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 F
Northern Michigan NMU 0 1 0 1
Ohio State OSU 2 0 1 3

Game Recap: Hockey | | Braden Golisek - Assistant Director of Sports Information

Auyeung-Ashton Shines in First Career Start, Wildcats Fall 3-1 to No. 16 Ohio State

Oliver Auyeung-Ashton becomes just the second NCAA freshman netminder to make 45+ saves in their collegiate debut in the past 10 years

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Northern Michigan University hockey team rounded out its road non-conference schedule, falling 3-1 on an empty net goal to the No. 16 Ohio State Buckeyes.

It was all NMU in the opening five minutes, but two consecutive NMU penalties occurred soon after, giving OSU early opportunities. The 'Cats blanked both chances, as freshman goaltender Oliver Auyeung-Ashton made seven saves in the two combined short-handed situations to keep the game scoreless. A pair of goals in quick succession near the end of the frame would give the Buckeyes a two-goal lead after 20 minutes.

The second period went in favor of the Wildcats, as the team generated scoring chances while keeping the opposition off the scoreboard. Freshman Landon MacDonald opened his account in his collegiate debut, cutting the Buckeye lead in half with the first goal of his career. Minutes later, freshman Evan Johnson scored to tie the game, but a coach's challenge for goalie interference was successful, and the Buckeyes got a lucky bounce. 

Auyeung-Ashton kept the 'Cats within one to start the third period, and NMU would end up getting chances to tie the game late in the final frame. The Wildcats had a few good looks on a power play and then with the goalie pulled before Felix Caron's clearance from the full length of the ice that bounced its way into the cage. 

Girts Silkalns got the first point of his Wildcat career thanks to the primary assist on the MacDonald goal, and Joe Schiller got his second point in four games with the secondary helper.

NMU was outshot 48-24, OSU edged NMU in the faceoff dot 34-30, and both teams were unsuccessful on all of their power-play attempts. Michael Burchill had an exceptional day in the faceoff dot, pacing all centermen with 13 wins. Silkalns and Grayden Daul were both +1.

'Cat Nips
  • Freshman netminder Auyeung-Ashton made his first career collegiate start, making 45 saves. This number marks the most saves by a freshman netminder in their NMU debut in the modern NCAA era (since 2004), and the most by an NMU freshman since Atte Tolvanen made 46 on October 30, 2015.
    • Ninth freshman goalie to make 45+ saves in their collegiate debut in the past 20 years, and only the second in the past 10 (Gavin FitzPatrick, Stonehill, 58, 2/3/2023 
  • Freshman forward MacDonald scored his first career collegiate goal in his collegiate debut on just his second shot on goal.
  • Schiller added his first assist of the season, giving the blue liner two points in four games (1-1--2).
  • Silkalns picked up his first career point as a member of the Wildcats, earning the primary assist on the MacDonald goal.
How It Happened
The Wildcats started fast, garnering scoring chances and outshooting the Buckeyes 7-3 with six on target to one in the opening four minutes before the 'Cats were whistled for the game's first penalty. Auyeung-Ashton made six saves, and the 'Cats successfully killed the penalty. Just a minute and 23 seconds after the first penalty expired, the 'Cats were whistled for another penalty, and the PK unit marched out again. Two more saves from the freshman, and the 'Cats once again killed the Buckeye man advantage.

The Buckeyes ended the period with a pair of goals in quick succession. Nathan Lewis found a loose puck in a sea of bodies infront of the net at 15:48. Two minutes later, Minnesota State transfer and alternate captain Adam Eisele scored his first of the season with a wicked wrist shot off a toe-drag around a defender.

The Wildcats cut the Buckeye lead in half, as it was MacDonald scoring his first career collegiate goal in his first career collegiate game. MacDonald received a breakout pass from Silkalns with speed, and he beat his defender wide on the left-hand side. The forward drove the net and made a move to the backhand from in tight, beating Eberly from in close.
Evan Johnson tied the game just minutes later, but Ohio State challenged for goalie interference. After an official review, the call on the ice was overturned, and the Buckeyes escaped unscathed.

After a dominant start to the third period from the Buckeyes, the 'Cats got a power play opportunity with seven minutes to play. The 'Cats had chances, but Eberly made a few key saves. 

Up Next
The Wildcats are home for the first time this season, hosting Colorado College at the Berry Events Center on Friday, October 17, and Saturday, October 18.



 
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