While students were heading home for the holiday break, the NMU men’s hockey team kept themselves busy as they carried themselves further in their final season as part of the Central Collegiate Hockey Assocation.
The Wildcats travelled to Lake Superior State and St. Cloud State for two series on the road over break. During the last month, the team accumulated a swept series while losing another.
The ’Cats swept the No. 15-ranked St. Cloud State Huskies with victories on Friday, Jan. 4 and Saturday, Jan. 5. NMU started the weekend away 6-2 on Friday night, and finished up the series 2-1 on Saturday. The victories marked the first Wildcat wins at St. Cloud since Oct. 16, 2004, and also tallied four straight victories against the Huskies this season.
NMU head coach Walt Kyle said the success of the past few games partially has better power-play performances to thank.
“We have been working at it,” Kyle said. “We had a power-play goal against St. Cloud and we were able to win both of those games. We had a power-play goal against Miami, as well. If we keep doing well with the power-plays, we will keep coming up with wins.”
Friday night’s game opened up with the Huskies scoring the first and only goal of the first period. The Wildcats responded in the final two periods, scoring three goals in both the second and third. Sophomore forward Reed Seckel’s sixth and seventh of the season were assisted by junior forward Erik Higby and senior forward Matt Thurber.
Senior defenseman Scott Macaulay scored the second NMU goal, assisted by freshman forward Darren Nowick and freshman forward Ryan Aynsley.
Sophomore forward Ryan Daugherty, junior defenseman CJ Ludwig, and senior defenseman Kyle Follmer scored the game’s final points.
On Saturday, Jan. 5, the ’Cats clinched another victory to secure the sweep on the road, 2-1. After St. Cloud opened the first period’s scoring with a goal 9:37 in, the Wildcats answered with a goal by Follmer. Seckel and Thurber assisted the shot. Seckel scored the game-winning goal in the third period, assisted by junior defenseman Austin Handley and Higby.
“Thurber, Seckel, and Follmer have really become a line to rely on,” Kyle said. “They have become really dangerous, and that helps. There is a line now that other teams have to be conscious of all the time. It’s a good combination that has good chemistry.”
The sweep at St. Cloud marked the first two victories after the ’Cats were swept at Lake Superior State University on Friday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 15.
The two games versus LSSU brought the ’Cats to 2-8-3-1 in the CCHA and 6-9-3 overall.
Friday night’s game also marked the first time this season that the Wildcats were shutout, 3-0.
Gameplay was halted when a hit by Seckel broke a pane of glass on the ice. Play resumed after 20 minutes of clean-up.
Junior goaltender Jared Coreau saved 18 shots on net before being relieved by freshman goaltender Michael Doan, who recorded 15 saves.
On Saturday, Dec. 15, the Wildcats lost again to the Lakers, keeping themselves from being shutout with a score of 3-1.
The game was tied up when sophomore defenseman Jake Baker scored his first goal of the season during a powerplay against LSSU. Follmer assisted Baker’s goal.
Other actions to note from over vacation include a Wildcat mention on ESPN Sportcenter’s Top 10 Plays after defeating St. Cloud on Friday, Jan. 4. Follmer was mentioned in the Top 10 after he blocked a shot on Coreau as the puck went behind the goalie.
Northern is currently 3-9-4-1 in the CCHA and 9-10-3 overall
The ’Cats aim to continue their undefeated status as they remain in Marquette to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes this weekend.
