Story, photo courtesy of NMU Sports Information
MARQUETTE, Mich. -- The NMU hockey team dropped a 5-2 decision to Lake Superior State Saturday on Senior Night at the Berry Events Center.
The Wildcats (3-28-1, 3-20-1 CCHA) honored seniors Nicolas Ardanaz, Tynan Ewart, Zane Demsey, Caiden Gault, Kyle Bettens, Danny Ciccarello, and Matthew Argentina before puck drop with a wonderful ceremony for those family, friends, and fans in attendance. The Wildcats all-time record on senior night now moves to 26-18-3.
The Lakers (11-18-2, 8-15-1) earned all six CCHA points and retained the Cappo Cup with its regulation wins this weekend. The cup will now stay in the hands of the Lakers for one more year, extending to three consecutive seasons where the Lakers have brought the trophy to the Sault Ste. Marie.
The Wildcats opened the scoring on the game's first man-advantage once again, but this time it was Peter Cisar wiring home a wicked one-timer from the left circle. Penalties were in the cards for the Lakers in the first period; after the first Laker penalty, Ryan Beck received a five-minute major and game misconduct, and a pair of Lakers took penalties in the dying minutes to give NMU an abbreviated five-on-three advantage going into the second period. The Wildcats outshot the Lakers 15-4, with 29 attempts to nine in period one
After taking a big hit in the first period, forward Michael Burchill did not return to the bench for the second period. The Wildcats got a hero shift from senior Nicolas Ardanaz, blocking two heavy shots while killing a penalty. The Lakers broke through on the next man-advantage, as two Wildcats broke sticks and LSSU skated essentially three-men up before scoring its first, and defenseman Mike Brown gave the Lakers the lead after his point shot hit a Wildcat defenseman. Seniors Matthew Argentina and Caiden Gault connected to tie the game, and the teams skated to two goals apiece.
After a failed goaltender interference challenge, a Laker deflection stood, and the Wildcats were in a two-goal hole. Head coach Dave Shyiak would end up pulling freshman goaltender Max Weilandt with about eight minutes left, and they were able to generate plenty of positive looks and grade-A chances, but were unable to convert. Sasha Teleguine added the empty net tally with a minute and fifty seconds left.
For the game, NMU edged LSSU in shots on target at 29-28, while holding a wide margin in shot attempts at 70-57. Both teams were whistled for six penalties, as the Lakers went 2/6 on its chances compared to NMU at 1/5. The Lakers controlled the faceoff circle at 44-24, and edged the 'Cats in blocked shots at 24-21.
Mathew Ward and Gault led the field with 13 and 11 shot attempts, respectively, and Ardanaz led the 'Cats in blocks (4) and was followed by Tynan Ewart, Ward, and Cliche with three, respectively.
