This story was written by NMU Sports Information

The Northern Michigan University hockey team split its weekend series with the St. Thomas Tommies at the Berry Events Center. The Wildcats won Friday, 3-2, in overtime, but lost on Saturday, 3-1. 

SATURDAY'S GAME RECAP

MARQUETTE, Mich. -The Northern Michigan University hockey team dropped game two of the weekend series against the Tommies, falling 3-1.

Andre Ghantous scored on the power play seconds after one of his goals were disallowed, tying the game at one-a-piece and bringing life to the Berry Events Center. The Tommies took a one goal lead into the locker room, scored a short handed goal in the third period to get to three, and survived the ensuing wave of offensive pressure from the 'Cats to earn a split on the weekend.

The Wildcats now fall to 8-12-2 overall and 6-8-0 in CCHA play. The Tommies improve to 12-11-1 overall and 10-6-0 in CCHA play.

It took 17 minutes, but the first goal came from the stick of Lucas Wahlin who was left unattended to in the low slot and fired a one-timer over the glovehand of Halasz.

The Wildcats skated to the first intermission down a goal and a man, starting the second period down a man. In the first, the Tommies outshot the 'Cats 12-6 and posted seven blocks to NMU's five. The 'Cats successfully killed both of their penalties and went 0/1 on the PP.

The 'Cats thought they tied the game on a Ghantous backhand, but the officials reviewed the goal and overturned the goal. It wasn't moments later that Ghantous found the loose change in the crease and found the back of the net, as this one on the man-advantage counted.

The Tommies took advantage of a Wildcat miscue in the neutral zone and screamed down on a short-handed breakaway. The forward made a move to the backhand and beat Halasz through the five-hole to regain the one-goal lead.

The 'Cats skated to the locker room down a goal going into the final 20 minutes, despite controlling play and outshooting the Tommies 13-4 with three power play attempts.

The Tommies extended their lead eight minutes into the period, as Ryan O'Neill corralled the puck below the left circle and fired a wicked wrister past the ear of Halasz to give the Tommies the first multi-goal lead of the evening.

FRIDAY'S GAME RECAP

MARQUETTE, Mich. - The NMU hockey team got back to winning ways on home ice, earning a critical three points with a 3-2 win over the St. Thomas Tommies.

The Wildcats opened the scoring with Matvei Kabanov on the power play and carried a 1-0 lead into the second intermission with his second goal of the season. Michael Colella continued his hot streak for the 'Cats, as he scored his sixth of the year to extend the lead to two goals just minutes into the second period. 

The Tommies struck back with two goals to close out the period, and the teams were deadlocked going into the final frame. Viking Gustafsson Nyberg fired a shot from the point that beat the goalie Trotter, giving the 'Cats a one-goal lead and the eventual game-winner. 

It was the defense that closed out the game, as the Tommies pulled the goalie with two and a half minutes left, and time of possession was all in the NMU end. A combination of crucial stops from Beni Halasz and key blocks from the defensive core, including Tyrell Boucher taking a slap-shot to the helmet in the dying seconds, and the Wildcats closed out game one from the Berry Events Center against the top team in the CCHA.

The Wildcats were awarded the game's first power play opportunity and made good with their opportunity. A point shot generated a rebound and havoc around the crease, Colella shoveled it back on target, and Kabanov was on the doorstep to find the loose change and net his second goal of the season. 

The 'Cats were the only team on the scoreboard after 20 minutes of play, scoring the lone goal on the man advantage. The 'Cats outshot the Tommies 11-7, went 1/2 on the PP, and killed their only penalty.

It took the Wildcats three minutes to double up the lead, as Colella took a feed from Eddy and was all alone below the hash marks. Colella fired the puck just as quickly as it found its way on his stick, and beat Trotter over the pad.

The Wildcats allowed a rare power-play goal on home ice, as Ryan O'Neill fired a one-timer from the left circle and beat Halasz, drawing the Tommies within one.

The Tommies tied the game four minutes later, as a shot from the point was redirected by Luc Laylin and bounced between the legs of Halasz.

The teams skated to the locker room deadlocked at two goals a piece with 20 minutes to play. Despite scoring one goal less in the frame, the 'Cats outshot the Tommies 11-8. The Tommies scored on their only man-advantage opportunity, and the 'Cats went 0/2 on the PP.
 

The 'Cats struck early once again, this time coming two and a half minutes into the frame. Gustafsson Nyberg fired a seeing-eye shot from the point that beat Trotter before ringing the iron and finding the back of the net. 

A combination of terrific saves from Halasz and crucial blocks from Gustafsson Nyberg, Shlaine, and Tyrell Boucher sealed the deal for the 'Cats, as they skated to the locker room with a 3-2 win on home ice.