Wildcats defeat arch rival Huskies

Courtesy of NMU Athletics

MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan hockey team scored two goals in the first period and two goals in the third to defeat U.P.-rival Michigan Tech 4-1 on Friday (Dec. 16) night from the Berry Events Center. With the win, the Wildcats are now 7-1-3 at home.

“It was a good game and they’re a good hockey team,” NMU coach Walt Kyle said. “We were fortunate we got to an early lead. The rest of the game was very even. We caught a couple of breaks.”

Redshirt freshman forward Reed Seckel got the ‘Cats on the board 6:26 into the first when he put home a rebound off junior forward Matt Thurber’s shot for his fourth of the season. Senior forward Tyler Gron picked up his first of three points on the night with the secondary assist.

NMU (9-7-3) made it a two-goal lead with 22 seconds left in the first when
sophomore forward Erik Higby redirected a shot by senior forward Andrew
Cherniwchan. Sophomore defenseman CJ Ludwig also picked up an assist on Higby’s second goal of the season.

Michigan Tech (9-9-1) forward Aaron Pietila scored his first of the season
17:06 into the second period. Assists went to Alex McLeod and Steven Seigo.

Gron scored two goals in the third period. He picked up the puck a center
ice on the first goal and put it top-shelf over Husky goaltender Kevin Genoe
at 8:30. Thurber picked up his second assist of the game and team-leading
eleventh of the season.

The Huskies pulled Genoe and Gron scored and empty net goal at 18:50.
Sophomore defenseman Wade Epp got the assist on Gron’s ninth of the season.

The ‘Cats outshot the Huskies 32-30.

Sophomore goaltender Jared Coreau picked up his fifth win of the season and his now 5-2-1, stopping 29 MTU shots.

Josh Robinson made the start in net for the Huskies but was pulled after the
first period. He allowed two goals on 14 shots. Genoe had 16 saves.

Northern was 0-for-2 on the power-play when the Huskies took three penalties for 16 minutes. MTU was 0-for-5 on the man advantage after six penalties by the ‘Cats for 12 minutes.

The two teams meet on Jan. 21 in Houghton to finish the season series.

The ‘Cats host the Russian Red Stars in an exhibition game on Dec. 30 before hosting Alaska-Fairbanks on Jan. 6-7.

Game Notes: Gron has 40 career goals.Seckel has four career goals.Higby has seven career goals.Attendance was 3,880.It was Cherniwchan’s first game since Nov. 12.