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Wildcats Get Series Split With Vanderbeck OT Goal
 Srories were written by NMU Sports Information SUNDAY'S GAME RECAP MARQUETTE, Mich. - AJ Vanderbeck scored twice including the OT game-winner and Joey Larson scored the first of his career to push NMU to a 4-3 win over BGSU on Sunday. NMU jumped in front 2-0 after one, as Larson and Vanderbeck each scored. BGSU flipped the script in the second to tie it 2-2 heading to the third. After a Falcon goal, David Keefer came up with a big tally to tie it for NMU. After not being able to decide a winner in regulation, captain AJ Vanderbeck bested the netminder short side in OT for the 4-3 victory. The 'Cats didn't take long to get into the score sheet, as Joey Larson sniped his first career tally just 2:15 into action. It was a power-play goal assisted by Artem Shlaine and Mikey Colella. Shaline placed a beautiful behind-the-net feed to Larson out in front for the early NMU lead. NMU continued to implement themselves early, as AJ Vanderbeck collected his first goal on NMU's 9th shot on goal. David Keefer assisted. NMU led 2-0 early. The Green and Gold staved off a couple of penalties as the clock was winding down in the opening 20 minutes. Charlie Glockner made a couple of timely stops in the crease. NMU fought for their third successful penalty kill of the game, as the Wildcats had the blueprint for special teams in the early going. On Northern's 4th penalty kill of the night, Josh Zinger had a shorthanded breakaway, but the puck bounced just left of the net. The Falcons Austin Swankler then capitalized before the man-advantage expired to pull BGSU within one. Ethan Scardina then scored 15 seconds later for the Falcons to quickly tie it 2-2. The Wildcats fought off the large majority of their 5th penalty as the horn sounded to end the 2nd period. The Falcons killed off a penalty and then claimed their first lead with 11:55 to go. Austin Swankler added his second goal of the game for BGSU. The 'Cats were able to cash in on another power play chance with 7:09 to go. David Keefer dove to connect with the puck and slide it across the crease to tie it 3-3. NMU had a couple of looks late, but extra time was needed as the score read 3-3 after the third. Skating 3-on-3, the Wildcats were able to claim victory off the stick of AJ Vanderbeck, as he fired a shot short side to beat the goalkeeper with 1:13 left.
1st Period 2:15 - Joey Larson (NMU PP, 1-0) - Assisted by Artem Shlaine and Mikey Colella 6:58 - AJ Vanderbeck (NMU, 2-0) - Assisted by David Keefer 2nd Period 10:50 - Austin Swankler (BGSU PP, 2-1) - Assisted by Dalton Norris 11:05 - Ethan Scardina (BGSU, 2-2) - Assisted by Jaden Grant 3rd Period 8:05 - Austin Swankler (BGSU, 2-3) - Assisted by Chase Gresock and Dalton Norris 12:51 - David Keefer (NMU PP, 3-3) - Assisted by Alex Frye and AJ Vanderbeck OT 3:47 - AJ Vanderbeck (NMU, 4-3) - Assisted by Artem Shlaine SATURDAY GAME RECAP MARQUETTE, Mich. - Ten goals were tallied in the season-opener vs. BGSU, but NMU was on the short side of a 6-4 loss to Bowling Green State to open the 2022-23 season. After a 1-1 first period, BG struck twice in the 2nd but NMU responded with a pair to make it 3-3 heading into the third period. Bowling Green claimed three of the four goals in the final period en route to a 6-4 victory. Mikey Colella scored twice, Andre Ghantous added three assists, and Joey Larson picked up two assists to start his career. It took nearly four minutes for the teams to each find a quality look at the net. Mikey Colella found himself open in front of the net for NMU's first shot on goal of the season. The Falcons broke out 2-on-1 right after, but Charlie Glockner was able to deflect it out of play. Reilly Funk got his first career goal 8:05 in for a 1-0 NMU lead. Funk was able to get a deflection on a Brett Willits shot and slide it into the net. Simon Kjellberg also added an apple. NMU had the first look at a power play with 6:47 to go in the opening period. Artem Shlaine dinged the crossbar, but the Falcons were able to keep the 'Cats at bay and kill it off. BGSU tied it with 2:41 in the first. Taylor Schneider assisted on a Chase Gresock goal. The Falcons jumped in front just 1:05 into the second period on a goal from Max Coyle. A few minutes later the Falcons converted on their first man-advantage from Ethan Scardina for a 3-1 edge over the 'Cats. The Green and Gold pulled back within one halfway through the 2nd. Joey Larson found Andre Ghantous who relayed the puck to Artem Shlaine right in front for the tally. The 'Cats maintained the pressure and tied it up on the man-advantage from Mikey Colella. Ghantous added his second assist of the game while Josh Zinger also got an apple. Mikey Colella collected his 2nd of the game minutes into the third to make it three straight for NMU and a 4-3 lead. Ghantous and Larson assisted. BGSU was able to respond immediately to tie it 4-4 with 16:40 left in the 3rd period. The Falcons continued their third period surge, reclaiming the lead with 13:11 left in the closing frame. Austin Swankler went high over the goalie for an impressive goal. BGSU didn't look back and added another empty-net tally to take the contest 6-4. - Bowling Green led in shots on goal in the contest 30-28. - NMU converted 2-5 power plays while BGSU went 0-2. - Colella's two goals were the 20th and 21st of his career. Saturday Goal Summary 1st Period 8:05 - Reilly Funk (NMU, 1-0) - Assisted by Brett Willits and Simon Kjellberg 17:19 - Chase Gresock (BGSU, 1-1) - Assisted by Taylor Schneider 2nd Period 1:05 - Max Coyle (BGSU, 1-2) - Assisted by Spencer Schneider and Taylor Schneider 3:26 - Ethan Scardina (BGSU, 1-3) - Assisted by Austin Swankler 9:29 - Artem Shlaine (NMU, 2-3) - Assisted by Andre Ghantous and Joey Larson 13:25 - Mikey Colella (NMU PP, 3-3) - Assisted by Andre Ghantous and Josh Zinger 3rd Period 2:43 - Mikey Colella (NMU PP, 4-3) - Assisted by Andre Ghantous and Joey Larson 3:20 - Ryan O'Hara (BGSU, 4-4) - Assisted by Jaden Grant 6:49 - Austin Swankler (BGSU, 4-5) 19:30 - Taylor Schneider (BGSU SH, 4-6) |
