NMU hockey loses key player to injury

The Northern Michigan University hockey team will have to face the Michigan Wolverines in the first round of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs without its leading scorer.

Matt Thurber broke his leg during practice on Tuesday, ending his career. He reported the injury on his Twitter account.

The senior from Beaver Dam, Wis. will not play another game for the Wildcats. In two seasons at NMU, Thurber scored six goals and tallied thirty assists.

The Wildcats are the #10 in the CCHA playoffs. They will play #7 Michigan in a best of three playoff series starting Friday. All three games will be played at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor.