This past weekend, NMU fans geared up to watch the Wildcats take on their biggest rival, Michigan Tech.
Unfortunately for fans, the Wildcats were unable to get a win either night. However, the team came close on the first night at MTU.
The Wildcats now fall to 4-21-1 on the season. Before the losses this weekend, NMU was coming off a split weekend with Minnesota State (Mankato) two weeks ago, who are currently ranked 12th in the country, and a sweep weekend against Bemidji State.
“With our young team, you’re always going through learning stages throughout the year,” head coach Dave Shyiak said.
On the first night of the rivalry weekend in Houghton, the Wildcats came close to a win but ultimately fell short, losing 3-2. Both Wildcat goals were scored by freshman forward Grayden Slipec.
“I actually liked our game up in Michigan Tech on the Friday night. I thought that game was winnable. Couple calls at the end there, and they, you know, they found a way to win. You got to give them credit. But I think Michigan Tech, to me, them, Mankato and Augusta are the three best teams in the league. There’s not much of a difference,” Shyiak said.
The team then returned home to the Berry Events Center the next night, hoping for a win against Tech at home in front of their fans.
The Wildcats were unable to get the job done, ending the night with a score of 4-0.
Even with the loss, there were some positives from the game. One of them was goalie Ryan Ouellette, who countered the four goals with 26 saves on the night.
“[Ouellette], he’s been calm, cool and effective, and he’s been kind of the backbone of our team to keep us in games. And I think over the course of the year we’ve been a lot better in front of him… even this past weekend; he made key saves at the right time to keep us in it. He was obviously the common thread there. He gives us a chance every single night, and we have to—he has to—continue to do that for us,” Shyiak said.
Looking ahead, the Wildcats are shifting their focus to Bowling Green, who comes into town this weekend to take on the ’Cats.
Bowling Green is 12-9-4 on the season and currently unranked.
“[Bowling Green] they’re a little bit different brand of hockey than what we’ve seen the last three weekends. They’re big, strong, physical. They really get after it, uh, they’re ultra-aggressive. They really stack the line and make it difficult for you to get any rush chances. So, it’s going to be another test for our group to try to learn from,” Shyiak said.
This weekend, the Puck will drop at 7:07 p.m. on Friday and 6:07 p.m. on Saturday. During the game on Saturday, the Wildcats will show off their new plaid jerseys.
Make sure to cheer on the Wildcats this weekend!
