MARQUETTE, Mich.  — The Northern Michigan hockey team showed flashes of growth but ultimately came up short in both games against No. 14 Minnesota State this weekend, falling 4-0 on Friday before battling to a 3-2 loss on Saturday at the Berry Events Center. 

Friday: 

The Wildcats (0-16-0, 0-8-0 CCHA) fired 35 shots on Friday, one of their highest totals this season, but Minnesota State goaltender Alex Tracy turned away every look. The Spengler Cup selection earned his tenth career shutout with a season-high 35 saves. 

Head coach Dave Shyiak said the Wildcats created chances, but not enough of the gritty ones needed to beat a goalie of Tracy’s caliber. 

“We had a tough time getting pucks by him,” Shyiak said. “We did have some good looks, but we have been working on getting more traffic in front of goaltenders’ eyes to create second and third shot attempts. We were unable to do that on Friday.” 

Minnesota State capitalized on rebound opportunities, scoring twice on the power play, an area Shyiak said has not been up to NMU’s usual standard. 

“Uncharacteristic on our part,” he said. “We were 18th in the country on the PK, and we are giving up too many power play goals. The pucks are going a little too easy into the net.” 

Liam Watkins scored twice for MSU, Alex Zetterberg added a redirected tally, and Tristan Lemyre sealed the win with an empty-netter. Despite the loss, Wildcat goaltender William Gramme turned aside 33 shots for a .917 save percentage. 

Saturday:  

On Saturday, NMU delivered one of its stronger starts of the season. For the first 12 minutes, the Wildcats controlled play and held the Mavericks to only one or two shots. 

“We had a great start,” Shyiak said. “We were playing the game downhill on our toes.” 

Freshman Michael Burchill opened the scoring with a stick-side power play. Minnesota State responded with a bounce off a Wildcat defender, then took the lead late in the first on a Lemyre one-timer. 

Still, NMU outplayed Minnesota State at even strength. 

“I thought we outplayed them five on five,” Shyiak said. “We had 16 chances to their seven to score five on five and were unable to do so. That was the problem.” 

Jack Smith extended the MSU lead to 3-1 with another power play goal, but Grayden Slipec answered on the man advantage with his first goal of the season, a deflected pass that found its way in. The Wildcats pushed late with the goalie pulled but could not beat Tracy again. 

The special teams battle was a mixed result. NMU scored twice on the power play but surrendered two power play goals. 

“The power play was good for us,” Shyiak said. “But we have to get both our power play and penalty kill working at the same time.” 

Despite the team’s winless record, Shyiak emphasized his group’s effort, energy, and improvement. 

“There has not been any quit in our group this year,” he said. “Four of the last six games, we have outplayed teams five on five. That is a good sign. There has been growth.” 

The Wildcats have also been dealing with injuries and were unable to ice a full lineup in several recent games. 

“It is the next-man-up mentality,” Shyiak said. “I give our guys credit. They come to work every day.” 

Looking Ahead 

NMU now turns its attention to Bowling Green, a matchup Shyiak expects will test his team physically. 

“Probably the most physical team we will play,” he said. “We have to match their physicality and intensity. At the end of the day, we have to get more greasy goals around the net.”