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Northern Michigan University

The Official Website of the Northern Michigan Wildcats Northern Michigan Wildcats
Tynan Ewart
3
Northern Mich. NMU 1-17-0, 1-9-0
4
Winner Bowling Green BGF 8-5-3, 6-3-3
Northern Mich. NMU
1-17-0, 1-9-0
3
Final
4
Bowling Green BGF
8-5-3, 6-3-3
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 OT 1 F
Northern Mich. NMU 0 2 1 0 3
Bowling Green BGF 1 0 2 1 4

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

Wildcats Fall 4-3 in Overtime to Falcons

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- The Wildcats put forth another valiant effort, earning one CCHA point on the road in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Falcons.

After losing two more players from Friday's already depleted lineup, the Wildcats (1-17-0, 1-9-0 CCHA) played the Falcons (8-5-3, 6-3-3 CCHA) to overtime tonight to earn four of a possible six CCHA points on the road this weekend. The Wildcat penalty kill was exceptional again, holding one of the CCHA's best power plays scoreless for the weekend and going 4/4 tonight, including a pair of crucial kills in the third period. 

This time it was the Falcons who came out hot, outshooting the 'Cats 7-0 in the first eight minutes of play. But the Wildcats flipped a switch and would outshoot the Falcons 11-3 in the final half of the period, including a confident power play that fired five shots on the goaltender Jacob Steinman. After nearly 11 minutes of all NMU pressure, the Falcons got a fortunate bounce, taking the lead with under a minute to go in the period off a deflection from Jeremie Minville.

After giving up a late goal to end the first, the Wildcats scored a goal of its own in the first minute of the second period, as Caiden Gault buried a pass from Kyle Bettens, who made a spectacular single-handed effort. Head coach Dave Shyiak mentioned the importance of both special teams units working together to give the team a chance at success, and the special teams shone in the second period. 

NMU killed a BGSU power play thanks to a couple of huge saves from Gramme. Tyler Hotson was sent off on a five-minute major for hitting from behind, Dalton Norris took another penalty, and Gault would add his second of the game, capitalizing immediately on the ensuing faceoff on the five-on-three. The 'Cats ended the period short-handed, killing the first minute and a half before carryover time into the third. 

Ivan Korodiuk evened the game at two a-piece three minutes into the third period, and the Wildcat special teams were put to the test again. The 'Cats killed back-to-back penalties to keep the game scoreless, highlighted by a heroic shift from Tynan Ewart, blocking a shot and labouring on the ice for the remainder of the kill. After being outshot 12-3 in the first 13 minutes, the 'Cats found a jolt of life, as Warren Clark scored off a perfectly placed shot on a quick rush from his own zone. Looking for the equalizer, the Falcons pulled the goalie with a minute and a half left, and Quinn Emerson took advantage of a fortunate bounce to tie the game and send these two to overtime.

The 'Cats drew a penalty a minute into the overtime frame and had the chance to capitalize on the man-advantage. The Wildcats had a couple of good looks, but the Falcons were ultimately able to escape, and just a minute after killing the penalty, Breck McKinley scored the game-winning goal as the teams stayed skating at four-on-four. 

'Cat Nips
  • Gault (8-0--8) continued his hot weekend, adding a pair of goals to give him three tallies on the weekend.
  • Clark (1-2--3) scored his first goal as a Wildcat, momentarily giving the Wildcat a lead late in the third period
  • After missing the first game of this series, Bettens (0-4--4) made a spectacular play to earn his fourth assist of the season.
  • Ewart (0-6--6) earned the primary assist on the Gault power-play goal, giving the defenseman two assists in three games
  • Argentina (1-3--4) now has a goal and two assists for three points in his last five games.
  • Hutchinson (0-2--2) recorded his first point since the season-opener in Massachusetts

How It Happened
After a dominant second half of the first period from the Wildcats, the Falcons would score with under a minute remaining in the opening frame. A seemingly nothing-shot from Ivan Korodiuk found the stick of Minville on the side of the net, and there was nothing Gramme could have done on the deflection through traffic. 

The Wildcats finished off a great offensive possession from Bettens, as he spun off a defender and made a good move to behind the net before centering a pass to Gault. Gault took the pass and spun to the forehand, where he fired as soon as he turned to face the net, beating the netminder Steinman. 
  Just a couple of minutes later, Bolduc had a great look on a two-on-one, followed by what could have been a sure goal from Hutchinson had it not hit a Falcon stick. 

The Falcons took a five-minute major followed by a roughing minor, and the 'Cats were heading only on a five-on-three for five seconds. Altrichter won the faceoff in the left circle and Argentina stepped in to play a pass back to Ewart, who, in one motion, slid a pass to Gault in the right circle. Gault's one-timer was back across the grain and beat the goaltender on the stick side, earning the team's first lead of the game.
  The Falcons notched the game even three minutes into the third period, as Jaden Grant's initial shot was blocked by Tyler Stern before taking a fortunate bounce onto the stick of Korodiuk, who took advantage of the bounce and fired it immediately. 

Out of seemingly nowhere, the Wildcats regained the lead on just its fourth shot of the period with four minutes to go. After winning a battle in its own end, Hutchinson sprung Clark through the neutral zone, and he galloped into the right faceoff circle. The right-handed defenseman took his shot while skating, picking his spot against the grain on the far side, over the pad and below the blocker.
  Just a minute after, Altrichter was robbed by Steinman on a partial breakaway, as the netminder flashed the leather to keep his team in it. 

The Falcons pulled the netminder with a minute and a half left, and it only took 15 seconds with the goalie pulled to tie the game. An initial slapshot from the point was wide and kicked off the endwall directly into the crease of Gramme. Emerson was on the receiving end of a terrific bounce, as the missed shot landed directly on the unmarked forward's stick. 

After the 'Cats didn't score on a man-advantage in overtime, McKinley scored the game-winning goal with a minute to go in the overtime session.

Up Next
The Wildcats conclude 2025 at home, hosting the St. Thomas Tommies at the Berry Event Center on Friday, December 12, and Saturday, December 13. Friday's game is the Teddy Bear Toss, and Saturday's game features the Sock Toss. 



 
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