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PREVIEW: Wildcats Face (RV) Beavers in Penultimate Home Series

Reilly Funk (2021 - 2024) will make his first return to the Berry Events Center

MARQUETTE, Mich. -- The NMU hockey team is coming down to the final stretch, as the 'Cats host the (RV) Bemidji State Beavers for the penultimate home series of the 2025/26 campaign.

The Wildcats (2-24-0, 2-16-0 CCHA) face the Beavers (9-14-3, 7-8-3 CCHA) at the Berry Events Center, with puck drop at 7:07 p.m. ET on Friday, January 30, and Saturday, January 31, with puck-drop set for 6:07 p.m. ET. The games are available for streaming on Midco Sports Plus, and fans can also tune into the Radio Results Network (100.3 The Point) to listen on the airwaves.

The Wildcats are auctioning off the set of game-worn green 'Cat Head' jerseys at Friday night's game. The Wildcats will also hold the ever-popular 'Skate with the 'Cats' event on Tuesday, February 3, from 5-6 PM at the Berry Events Center. 
 
Hear from Head Coach Dave Shyiak
Friday night at home against rival Michigan Tech did not go as planned, with head coach Dave Shyiak describing the 8-2 result as "[Michigan] Tech was by far the better team for the first two periods… Anything that [could've] gone wrong, went wrong." 

Three of the first four Husky shots on net went in, chasing starting goalie Oliver Auyeung-Ashton. Shyiak replaced Oliver with William Gramme, who was then replaced by newcomer Max Weilandt in the third period, who earned his first career collegiate game played. 

Shyiak alluded to Saturday night's success stemming from the third period of Friday night. In between the second and third periods, his message to the team was "let's win the third period", which his team would go on to do, scoring two goals to one in the final 20 minutes. 

"Let's do it for ourselves, for our goaltender, and for our fans. We were able to win the third period… and I thought that was important to get some positivity and try to reach a goal on Friday."

Shyiak then said on Saturday, he noticed his team's mindset changed; they had a good team meeting that morning, and he had praise for his squad's effort in response.

"Our response and resiliency on Saturday was awesome, especially playing in that venue against your rival. We thought we played really well; we dictated the pace at five-on-five, played on our toes, played downhill, and threatened the net… We were way more connected, competed hard, and did a lot of the good things."  

One player who showed tremendous resiliency on Saturday was starting goalie Auyeung-Ashton, who gave up three goals on four shots on Friday before being pulled. Shyiak went back to his Hobey Baker nominee and Mike Richter 'Watch List' netminder on Saturday, and he went on to 42 saves, including 18 in the third period. Auyeung-Ashton's 42 saves were his third-most of the season, and most since he made 43 in the overtime loss to Colorado College on October 17, 2025.

"[As a goalie], you have to be able to flush [being pulled like that]. He's only had one or two off games this year, and he's giving us a chance to win every single night. [As a coach], you have to show belief and trust while tasking him to be better, and he responded. He came up with key saves at the right time, and we were finally able to get him some run support."
Amid the joyous bus ride back from Houghton, Shyiak emphasized to "remember this feeling and what it took to get there" and that "what we did that night needs to be repeatable" as his team now looks to face off against a Bemidji State team that Shyiak describes as "one of the fastest teams in the league." 

"[The Beavers] were off to a good start; they've been up and down recently, but they're a very good hockey team. We have to continue to get better, and I don't think we've reached our ceiling yet… Friday night is going to be a great matchup and a good game."

When asked if this is a good time to be facing the Beavers, who are winless in the past 11 games and haven't won since sweeping the Wildcats in Bemidji at the end of November, Shyiak's response was to not take them lightly.

"They're a wounded dog, and wounded dogs can be dangerous. They're itching to get back on track, as they had a really good start, and they're a good hockey team... I'm not sure what their injury report is, they've played some tough teams and lost some close games, but they're a very good hockey team. Our approach is we need to play our best game and continue to get better and consistent in how we play."

Senior forward Reilly Funk will make his return to the Berry Events Center on Friday, coming back to Marquette after spending three seasons with the Green and Gold from 2021 to 2024. Funk says that he "knows nobody on the team" since his departure two seasons ago, but will have family and friends in the stands.

"It'll be different… it will be cool to be back and playing [at the Berry Events Center], but we know we're going there to get a job done."






 
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Players Mentioned

William Gramme

#1 William Gramme

G
6' 3"
Junior
Oliver Auyeung-Ashton

#30 Oliver Auyeung-Ashton

G
5' 10"
Freshman
Max Weilandt

#32 Max Weilandt

G
6' 0"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

William Gramme

#1 William Gramme

6' 3"
Junior
G
Oliver Auyeung-Ashton

#30 Oliver Auyeung-Ashton

5' 10"
Freshman
G
Max Weilandt

#32 Max Weilandt

6' 0"
Freshman
G