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Danny Ciccarello
Senior Danny Ciccarello

Hockey Braden Golisek - Assistant Director of Sports Information

PREVIEW: Cappo Cup, Senior Weekend on Tap for Hockey

The Wildcats will honor Nicolas Ardanaz, Tynan Ewart, Zane Demsey, Caiden Gault, Kyle Bettens, Danny Ciccarello, and Matthew Argentina on Saturday.

MARQUETTE, Mich. -- The NMU hockey team is set for its final home series of the 2025/26 campaign, hosting the Lake Superior State Lakers.

The Wildcats (3-26-1, 3-18-1 CCHA, 12 pts) need crucial CCHA standings points if the team wants to move ahead of Ferris State and sneak into the final playoff spot, as NMU is now six points back of the Bulldogs with two weekends left in the regular season. 
 
This weekend is not only critical to get points at home, but the Wildcats have an opportunity to win the Cappo Cup in-season series if they defeat the Lakers (9-19-2, 6-15-1 CCHA, 23 pts) in both games. LSSU currently holds a 2-0 lead this season, while only holding a 4-2 goal differential. 

On top of the postseason wishes and the in-season tournament trophy in the balance, this weekend serves as senior weekend for the team to honor its graduating class. There will be seven honored pregame on Saturday: Nicolas Ardanaz, Tynan Ewart, Zane Demsey, Caiden Gault, Kyle Bettens, Danny Ciccarello, and Matthew Argentina. 

There are also multiple in-venue events happening on both days: the 'Cats are auctioning off the game-worn 30th anniversary jerseys on Friday, and the NMU Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) will be working with Make-A-Wish on Saturday.
 
Puck drop from theBerry Events Center is set for 7:07 p.m. ET on Friday, February 20, and 6:07 p.m. ET Saturday, February 21, where the Wildcats will be honoring its seniors. 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.



Hear From Dave Shyiak
The Wildcats entered a crucial series against Ferris State last weekend at the Ewigleben Ice Arena, a series that head coach Dave Shyiak predicted would have a 'playoff-like' atmosphere, as the Bulldogs only held a two-point advantage over the 'Cats in the final spot in the CCHA standings.

The Wildcats were up 4-2 late in the game on Friday before conceding a pair of late goals and falling in a shootout, then on Bulldog senior night on Saturday, the 'Dogs blanked NMU in the team's final home game of the season. 

"I thought we played really well on Friday," added head coach Shyiak, who saw his team control a commanding lead late into the game. "I thought our guys were prepared, our mindset was in a good spot, and I thought we had control of the game. We carried the play and had a two-goal lead with seven minutes left, we felt pretty good about ourselves… We're a young team, and sometimes our immaturity shows in the wrong moments of the game… But, our guys didn't panic after that, and we had some chances to win in overtime… But I was happy with the game we played and thought they deserved more, but we were unable to get it done."

"I thought we played [Ferris] pretty even until they scored their first goal, and then by the time they scored the short-handed goal, our guys were starting to show some frustration… And credit to Ferris, they played with urgency, and they were the better team on Saturday. Now we have to go out and win a hockey game on Friday."

Shyiak and his crew know what is at stake this weekend, and he and his team know that it starts before puck-drop on Friday night. 

"We have to go out and play our best game on Friday, that's our whole concentration right now. Let's have a good week of practice, as we did last week, and you want to play your best hockey this time of the year, no matter who you play."

The Lakers are nine points behind Bemidji State and five points clear of Ferris State, with two games in hand on both the Beavers and Bulldogs. The Lakers are coming off an impressive weekend, beating Michigan Tech in a shootout before falling in overtime, and will be in search of chasing down the Beavers, staying clear of the Bulldogs, and keeping the Cappo Cup in their hands.

"I think [Lake State] is going to come in and give us their best game. The games we played against them in their barn, I thought we were the better team; we just had difficulty scoring. We'll prepare accordingly, get the guys in the right mindset, knowing it's going to be tough, and we're going to have to play our best game."



 
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Players Mentioned

Nicolas Ardanaz

#3 Nicolas Ardanaz

D
5' 10"
Senior
Matthew Argentina

#28 Matthew Argentina

F
5' 11"
Senior
Danny Ciccarello

#27 Danny Ciccarello

F
6' 0"
Senior
Tynan Ewart

#6 Tynan Ewart

D
6' 0"
Junior
Zane Demsey

#9 Zane Demsey

D
6' 1"
Senior
Caiden Gault

#16 Caiden Gault

F
6' 0"
Senior
Kyle Bettens

#24 Kyle Bettens

F
6' 3"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Nicolas Ardanaz

#3 Nicolas Ardanaz

5' 10"
Senior
D
Matthew Argentina

#28 Matthew Argentina

5' 11"
Senior
F
Danny Ciccarello

#27 Danny Ciccarello

6' 0"
Senior
F
Tynan Ewart

#6 Tynan Ewart

6' 0"
Junior
D
Zane Demsey

#9 Zane Demsey

6' 1"
Senior
D
Caiden Gault

#16 Caiden Gault

6' 0"
Senior
F
Kyle Bettens

#24 Kyle Bettens

6' 3"
Senior
F