NMU hockey team falls in OT to Ferris

MARQUETTE, Mich. – A goal from No. 16 Ferris State’s Kenny Babinski 52-seconds into overtime handed the No. 20 ranked Northern Michigan University hockey team its first loss of the campaign, 1-0 in Western Collegiate Athletic Conference action at the Berry Events Center, Friday.

The loss moves NMU to 5-1-1 with a 2-1-0 WCHA record, while Ferris State moves back to .500 at 4-4-0 with a 1-2 WCHA mark.

“I thought we played well I had no problems with how we played,” said NMU head coach Walt Kyle. “I thought it was a pretty even hockey game. Both teams had chances to win and I thought there was great goaltending at both ends for sure. We broke down at the end but good teams will pressure you to do that.”

The overtime goal from Babinski on an assist from Andrew Mayer. Babinski snuck the puck just over the glove of NMU sophomore goalie Mathias Dahlstrom.

The Bulldogs took 26 shots in the contest to NMU’s 24 and peppered the Wildcats in the opening six minutes of the second period taking a 16-4 advantage in shots during that frame.

The Wildcats best scoring chance came early in the third period when sophomore Darren Nowick hit the pipe, but the puck ricocheted out.

Senior forward Reed Seckel, sophomore forward John Siemer and senior defender Mitch Jones led the Wildcats with three shots each. Dahlstrom made 35 saves in net for the Wildcats in his first loss of the season.

The Bulldog’s Tyler Andrew led all players with six shots in the contest, followed by Babinski and Brandon Anselmi with four each.

Ferris State’s CJ Motte made 24 saves in net for the Bulldogs improving to 4-4 on the campaign.

NMU was solid on the penalty kill holding Ferris State to 0-3 on the night and 0-2 in the second period. The Wildcats were also 0-3 on the power play.

NMU and Ferris State will wrap up their WCHA series at 7:07 p.m. Saturday. NMU will honor America’s Heroes with a Veteran’s Day celebration.

(Information Courtesy of NMU Athletics)