Northern Michigan Hockey Loses Two In Minnesota

The Northern Michigan University hockey team lost both games on the road in Minnesota this weekend, falling to St. Thomas, 4-2 on Friday and 6-1 on Saturday. The following stories were written by NMU Sports Information.

SATURDAY NIGHT RECAP

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. - The Northern Michigan University men's hockey team finished its road series with the St. Thomas Tommies, losing by a margin of 6-1.

The Wildcats were never in this one, except for maybe the first 10 minutes. It was all NMU to start the first half of the opening frame, outshooting the Tommies 4-0 before the Tommies were sprung on a breakaway and scored on their first shot of the game.

Noah Prokop scored in the opening minute of the second, Grant Slukynsky scored the second goal of his career, and the 'Cats had a glimmer of hope. But, just like in previous matchups, the Wildcats gave up a spurty pair of goals almost immediately after, as the Tommies made it 4-1 with two goals in 30 seconds.

Another goal in the opening minutes of the third period sealed the deal, and the Wildcats would go on to drop the decision by a score of 6-1.

The Wildcats fall to 1-6-1 overall and 1-3-0 in the CCHA, and the Tommies improve to 4-5-1 overall and 2-2-0 in conference play.

FRIDAY NIGHT RECAP

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. - The Northern Michigan University mens hockey team faced-off against the St. Thomas Tommies, dropping game one of the weekend series by a score of 4-2.

Grant Potulny talked about winning the special-teams battle, and the 'Cats responded to the coach's task with flying colors, going a perfect 6-6 on the PK and 2-3 on the PP. The caveat? The Wildcats tied the game at two-a-piece early in the third then went on their third man advantage of the evening. The Tommies got a fortnuate bounce off a blocked shot, and scored a short-handed breakaway that would eventually be the game-winner.

The 'Cats fell behind halfway through the first, with two goals coming less than thirty seconds apart. Artem Shlaine took a nifty feed from Andre Ghantous a minute later to bring the 'Cats within one, and the score would remain that way until the third period. Kristof Papp scored on the power play to tie things up right away in the third, but the misque on the blue line proved to be the difference maker. The Tommies scored a goal that eluded Halasz with a couple of minutes remaining, and the score would finalize at 4-2.