NMU Hockey shutout by Western Michigan

 

Courtesy of NMU Athletics

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University hockey team was shutout for the second time this season as No. 10-ranked Western Michigan University defeated the Wildcats 1-0 on Saturday (Dec. 1) night from Lawson Ice Arena in a very physical battle.

With the win, the Broncos swept NMU in their only series of the season and defeated the ‘Cats for the sixth game in a row. WMU won 4-2 on Friday. NMU is now 5-8-3 overall and 2-7-3-1 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Western is 8-3-1 and 5-2-1-1 in the CCHA.

Junior goaltender Jared Coreau stopped over 30 shots for the third game in a row and ninth time this season, finishing with 37 saves.

The only goal of the game came 5:36 into the second period off the stick of Trevor Elias. Assisting on the even strength tally was Ben Warda and Justin Kovacks.

Senior defenseman Macaulay had a chance to score the equalizer seven minutes into the third but Frank Slubowski stood tall and handled a flurry of NMU shots. Sophomore forward Reed Seckel also had a chance with under 20 seconds with the extra attacker on the ice but couldn’t capitalize.

Slubowski finished the game with 23 saves. WMU outshot NMU 38-23.

Northern was 0-for-3 on the man advantage while WMU was 0-for-5. The ‘Cats took eight penalties for 27 minutes while the Broncos had five minors.

The ‘Cats get back to non-conference play on Tuesday (Dec. 4), hosting Michigan Tech at the Berry Events Center. The puck drops at 7:35 p.m. in the first game of the season  against the Huskies.

Game Notes: NMU was shutout 2-0 at Ohio State on Nov. 16…The last time NMU won in Kalamazoo was Jan. 31, 2008…The last time NMU defeated WMU was Dec. 3, 2010