MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan hockey team fell 3-0 to the Minnesota State Mavericks on Saturday at the Berry Events Center, resulting in a weekend split after Friday's 2-1 win.
The Mavericks scored a goal in each period. Sam Kappell struck in the first, Alex Zetterberg added a tally in the second, and Liam Watkins finished it off late in the third with an empty-net goal.
Mankato led in shots on goal 27-23, paced by four from Reid Morich.
Grayden Slipec led the Wildcats with five.
Oliver Auyeung-Ashton stopped 24 of 26 shots sent his way for a .923 save percentage, while Mankato's Lassi Lehti finished a perfect 23 of 23.
Each team was whistled for five penalties, with two of those coming as offsetting infractions. The Wildcats finished 0-for-3 on the man advantage while the Mavericks were 1-for-3.
How it Happened
Northern Michigan had an early power-play opportunity but was unable to capitalize, with several looks from
Merril Steenari.
The Mavericks opened the scoring shortly after, with 8:54 remaining in the first period, as Sam Kappell found the back of the net for his first career goal to give the Mavericks a 1-0 lead. They had a chance to extend the lead 35 seconds later when NMU was hit with its first penalty, but the Wildcats killed it off. Mankato held an 11-5 advantage in shots after one period.
The Mavericks doubled their lead early in the second period, capitalizing on a 4-on-2 rush during an NMU penalty kill. Alex Zetterberg scored just 1:58 into the period to make it 2-0.
Northern had multiple opportunities to get on the board, earning two power plays and generating several quality chances, including looks from
Grayden Slipec and
Noah Houle. The Wildcats found some rhythm during that stretch, recording 10 consecutive shots on goal and 21 shots overall, but they were unable to find the back of the net.
Oliver Auyeung-Ashton came up with several key saves late in the second to keep the score at 2-0. Mankato led in shots on goal after two, 21-17.
To start the third, Northern killed off a penalty that carried over from the second period, and the third period featured limited whistles and scoring opportunities. The Mavericks added an empty-net goal from Liam Watkins with 1:57 remaining to secure the victory.
Up Next
Northern will be back at the Berry Events Center next weekend to host the Bowling Green State Falcons in CCHA action.
