These stories were written by NMU Sports Information. (NMU Photo)
SATURDAY'S GAME RECAP
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- The Wildcats put forth another valiant effort Saturday night, earning one CCHA point on the road in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Falcons.
After losing two more players from Friday's already depleted lineup, the Wildcats (1-17-0, 1-9-0 CCHA) played the Falcons (8-5-3, 6-3-3 CCHA) to overtime tonight to earn four of a possible six CCHA points on the road this weekend. The Wildcat penalty kill was exceptional again, holding one of the CCHA's best power plays scoreless for the weekend and going 4/4 tonight, including a pair of crucial kills in the third period.
This time it was the Falcons who came out hot, outshooting the 'Cats 7-0 in the first eight minutes of play. But the Wildcats flipped a switch and would outshoot the Falcons 11-3 in the final half of the period, including a confident power play that fired five shots on the goaltender Jacob Steinman. After nearly 11 minutes of all NMU pressure, the Falcons got a fortunate bounce, taking the lead with under a minute to go in the period off a deflection from Jeremie Minville.
After giving up a late goal to end the first, the Wildcats scored a goal of its own in the first minute of the second period, as Caiden Gault buried a pass from Kyle Bettens, who made a spectacular single-handed effort. Head coach Dave Shyiak mentioned the importance of both special teams units working together to give the team a chance at success, and the special teams shone in the second period.
NMU killed a BGSU power play thanks to a couple of huge saves from Gramme. Tyler Hotson was sent off on a five-minute major for hitting from behind, Dalton Norris took another penalty, and Gault would add his second of the game, capitalizing immediately on the ensuing faceoff on the five-on-three. The 'Cats ended the period short-handed, killing the first minute and a half before carryover time into the third.
Ivan Korodiuk evened the game at two a-piece three minutes into the third period, and the Wildcat special teams were put to the test again. The 'Cats killed back-to-back penalties to keep the game scoreless, highlighted by a heroic shift from Tynan Ewart, blocking a shot and labouring on the ice for the remainder of the kill. After being outshot 12-3 in the first 13 minutes, the 'Cats found a jolt of life, as Warren Clark scored off a perfectly placed shot on a quick rush from his own zone. Looking for the equalizer, the Falcons pulled the goalie with a minute and a half left, and Quinn Emerson took advantage of a fortunate bounce to tie the game and send these two to overtime.
The 'Cats drew a penalty a minute into the overtime frame and had the chance to capitalize on the man-advantage. The Wildcats had a couple of good looks, but the Falcons were ultimately able to escape, and just a minute after killing the penalty, Breck McKinley scored the game-winning goal as the teams stayed skating at four-on-four.
FRIDAY'S GAME RECAP
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- With the odds stacked against the NMU hockey team this weekend, the Green and Gold dug deep and found a way Friday night.
While embarking on one of the lengthier road trips of the season and only being able to dress 17 skaters and two goalies due to injuries, the Wildcats (1-16-0, 1-8-0 CCHA) persevered, scoring goals in each period to defeat the Bowling Green Falcons (7-5-3, 5-3-3 CCHA) 3-2 thanks to scoring across the lineup and timely penalty-killing.
The Wildcats dominated the first period, a frame that included a Wildcat power play followed by transfer Caiden Gault scoring his team-leading sixth goal of the season on an odd-man rush, thanks to a caused turnover from transfer Girts Silkalns. NMU controlled the majority of play in the Falcon zone, outshooting BGSU 14-8, with 7-4 on target, and multiple shots ringing off the crossbar or narrowly missing.
The Falcons found a spark in the middle frame, outshooting NMU 22-11 with ten on target to nine, but it was the Wildcats who were able to take advantage of a chance, as Landon MacDonald picked up a bouncing puck and stormed in on a breakaway, tallying his second goal of the season. At the other end, minutes before, goaltender William Gramme made a crucial save on Tyler Hotson, who had a breakaway of his own, and the Wildcats carried a 2-0 lead into the third period.
The Wildcats came out of the gates with pace in the final period, sparked by Girts Silkalns scoring one of the prettier goals you'll see this season. Connor Levis got one back for the Falcons minutes later, then BGSU got its first power play of the night, and then were awarded with a five-on-three opportunity for 20 seconds, then another five-on-three for eight seconds. A huge opportunity for the Falcons, but key saves and blocks from the penalty killing units, and the 'Cats held the Bowling Green power play off the board. The Falcons pulled the goalie with three minutes left and scored to make it 3-2 with a minute remaining.
