These stories were written by NMU Sports Information (NMU Photo)

SUNDAY'S GAME RECAP
 

MARQUETTE---The Wildcat hockey team fought hard Sunday evening to even out the season series with fifth-ranked Minnesota State but were unable to answer late as they fell 4-0 to the Mavericks. The Northern Michigan University team is now 2-4-0 to start their 2020-21 campaign and are 0-2-0-0 in Western Collegiate Hockey Association contests.

Four different Mankato players scored. The first two goals were on the power play: Cade Borchardt at 6:47 of the first period, and Todd Burgess at 10:20 of the second period. It stayed 2-0 until late in the third period, when the Mavericks scored twice, including an empty-netter.
 

For the second night in a row, the Mavericks struck first but the first period stats went strongly in favor of the home Wildcats. The team in gold led 8-4 in shots on goal, and faceoffs won, 10-5. 

The Mavericks scored again on the power play in the second period to make it a 2-0 game through 40 minutes of play. Nolan Kent continued to look strong in net as the junior had stopped 18 of 20 shots heading into the final period of regulation.

When the final horn sounded Minnesota State had net two more goals, including one on the empty net late in the period for the 4-0 final.

Newcomer Alex Frye led the team in shots Sunday evening, firing four pucks on net, but was unable to break the Mavericks netminding for his first goal as a Wildcat.

Nolan Kent finished the night with 21 saves on 24 shots faced for a .890 save percentage. 

Ben Newhouse led a strong defensive effort in game two against the Mavericks, blocking six shots.

The Wildcats host U.P. rival Lake Superior State Jan. 8-9. Puck drop for Friday night is set for 7 p.m. before a 6 p.m. start the following night. Both games will be broadcast on WUPT-FM (100.3 The Point), WUPF-FM (Eagle 107.3) and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.

SATURDAY GAME RECAP

MARQUETTE---The Northern Michigan University hockey program fell to fifth-ranked Minnesota State- Mankato, 5-0, Saturday evening in both teams' first Western Collegiate Hockey Association matchup.

Connor Ryckman got the nod in net to start Saturday's contest but was pulled in favor of Nolan Kent in the first period after MSU jumped to a 3-0 lead. Kent allowed one goal in during his time between the pipes in the opening period for the 4-0 tally heading into the intermission.

Jared Spooner scored at the 5:16 mark for Mankato, then less than three minutes later, Nathan Smith scored on the power play to make it 2-0. Cole Borchardt cashed in at the 10:43 mark, then Julian Napravnki scored at 13:20 to give the Mavericks a huge 4-0 lead.

Despite the scoreboard, the first period was fairly even in shots, with a 13-10 shots on goal margin, only slightly favoring the Mavericks. The Wildcats also led in blocked shots, stepping in front of 11 of the Mavericks' shot attempts to keep the puck from nearing the netminders.

Both teams were scoreless in the second period with the Mavericks leading the shots on goal margin but Kent made a few huge saves for the Wildcats to keep them alive.

The night ended with the Mavericks recording their fifth goal of the night for the 5-0 final. 

Kent made 22 saves on 24 shots faced while Ryckman had seven saves to the 10 shots against him.