RIVALRY WINNER: Wildcats Beat Michigan Tech
This story was written by NMU Sports Information. Click the VIDEO buttons to see post-game comments from Coach Grant Potulny, as well as from Artem Shlaine and Mitch Deelstra. Also click the AUDIO button to hear some of the radio highlughts from RRN's Garrett Searight.
MARQUETTE, Mich. - The NMU men's hockey team got back to winning ways on Friday, defeating the Michigan Tech Huskies 4-1 at the Berry Events Center.
Artem Shlaine notched three points (2-1--3), the game-winning goal, with both of his goals on the power play, to lead the 'Cats past the Huskies. Michael Mesic started the scoring late in the first with his fourth of the year, Rylan Van Unen notched his second of the season, and Beni Halasz made 21 saves (.955 SV%) en route to the Wildcat win.
The 'Cats controlled almost every facet of the game, edging the Huskies in shots (32-22), faceoffs (37-21), and blocks (12-8). One thing Grant Potulny harped on coming into the series was special teams, and the 'Cats delivered tonight, going 2/6 (33.3%) on the man advantage and 3/4 (75.0%) on the PK.
The Wildcats now improve to 9-113-3 overall and 7-9-1 in CCHA play with 23 points. The Huskies fall to 11-12-5 overall and 8-8-1 in CCHA play with 26 points.
- With two blocks tonight, Michael Van Unen reached 300 career blocks
- Artem Shlaine notched three points with two goals on the power play and one assist, making that his fourth multi-point night of the year (8-13--21)
- Michael Mesic opened the scoring, registering his fourth goal of the season (4-2--6)
- Rylan Van Unen scored the third goal for the 'Cats, his second of the year (2-6--8)
- Beni Halasz made 21 saves on 22 shots, a .955 SV%
- Mitch Deelstra recorded his third point of the season on a sweet pass to set up Mesic (1-2--3)
- Kevin Marx Noren reached double-digit points with his two assists, his third multi-point night of the season (3-8--11)
- Josh Zinger aided the 'Cats scoring, registering his 14th assist on the year (3-14--17)
- Matvei Kabanov recorded his third point in five games, bringing his season total to six (3-3--6)
- Kristof Papp registered his first point in eight games, bringing his season total to 15 (4-11--15)
- The 'Cats now improve to 8-3-1 at home, 6-6-0 when scoring first, 4-4-0 when leading after one, 8-1-1 when leading after two, and 8-2-1 when scoring three or more goals
