The Northern Michigan University hockey team’s playoff hopes took a significant hit Saturday night, falling 6-0 to Ferris State University in a penalty-filled contest in Big Rapids.
On a night that carried a playoff-like atmosphere and served as the Bulldogs’ senior night, the Wildcats (3-26-1, 3-18-1 CCHA) struggled to keep pace after an early push. The loss drops NMU six points behind Ferris for the final CCHA playoff spot with just two weekends remaining in the regular season.
The game quickly unraveled amid a flurry of whistles. The teams combined for 18 penalties and 47 penalty minutes, with NMU accounting for 29 minutes — its highest single-game total in two seasons and the fourth-most in the past seven years. The second period proved especially costly, as the Wildcats took six penalties, including a five-minute major and game misconduct, allowing Ferris to seize complete control.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, goaltender William Gramme was sharp early, turning aside 19 shots in the opening period alone and finishing with 35 saves before being relieved in the third. But the Bulldogs capitalized on a rebound goal in the first period and then broke the game open with a short-handed tally and a power-play strike just nine seconds into the major penalty early in the second. From there, Ferris poured it on, outshooting NMU 41-26 for the game and earning a 25-save shutout from netminder Martin Lundberg.
Head coach Dave Shyiak pointed to momentum and composure as turning points in the weekend.
“I thought we played pretty even until they [Ferris] scored their first goal,” Shyiak said. “By the time they scored the short-handed goal, our guys were starting to show some frustration. 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.”
The setback followed a heartbreaking shootout loss the night before, when NMU surrendered a late two-goal lead. While Shyiak was pleased with Friday’s effort, Saturday exposed the growing pains of a young roster in a high-pressure setting.
Now, the focus shifts to a critical home-and-home series against Lake Superior State University at the Berry Events Center. The Wildcats will not only be battling for valuable CCHA points, but also for the Cappo Cup and pride on senior weekend. Seven Wildcats — Nicolas Ardanaz, Tynan Ewart, Zane Demsey, Caiden Gault, Kyle Bettens, Danny Ciccarello, and Matthew Argentina — will be honored Saturday in their final home appearance.
“We have to go out and play our best game on Friday,” Shyiak said. “That’s our whole concentration right now. Let’s have a good week of practice, and you want to play your best hockey this time of year.”
With the postseason hanging in the balance, the message is clear: urgency must replace frustration if the Wildcats hope to keep their season alive.
