Ryan Duguay records hat trick for Wildcats
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The NMU hockey team opened 2025 with a win, downing the No. 12 Minnesota State Mavericks 3-2 on home ice.
The Wildcats (2-18-1, 1-11-1 CCHA) snapped an eight-game losing streak, picking up its first conference points since defeating the Mavericks in a shootout in Mankato, and the first win against a ranked opponent since the 4-0 win over Michigan Tech on March 11, 2023. The Mavericks (14-5-2, 9-2-2 CCHA) dropped its first game since the shootout loss to the ‘Cats, snapping a six-game win streak, an eleven-game stretch without a loss, and a ten-game unbeaten streak against NMU.
“We really needed it, and it’s a new start to the second half,” commented head coach Dave Shyiak in his post-game press conference. “As well as we played in the GLI, we just needed to get over the hump and find out what it feels like to win a hockey game… We had to will our way to get a win, and I’m proud of our guys.”
Ryan Duguay (4-1–5) notched his first career hat-trick, including two on the power play and the game-winning goal halfway through the final period, fueling the Wildcats across the line. This marks the first Wildcat hat trick since Artem Shlaine on November 10, 2023, and the first time a Maverick opponent has notched three since Jimmy Snuggerud on October 7, 2022.
“It was special,” added Duguay, commenting on his first-career collegiate hat-trick. “I owe it all to my linemates, they did a great job of finding me and it just felt like the puck was following me today, which is always a good thing to have.”
Jakub Altrichter (0-8–8) and Aidyn Hutchinson (3-3–6) each added two assists, and Tynan Ewart (1-7–8) and Matthew Argentina (1-1–2) both added an assist of their own.
Ryan Ouellette made 25 saves on the evening, posting a .926 SV%.
The Wildcat special teams were critical to the success on the night. The ‘Cats were 2/3 (66.7%) on the man advantage and 5/6 (83.3%) on the penalty kill, including successfully killing an extended five-on-three MSU powerplay in the third period.
“It was a gutsy effort from everyone tonight,” added Duguay, who saw his team block a season-high 34 shots, including six each from Danny Ciccarello, Anthony Cliche, and Ewart. “We had guys sacrificing all over the ice tonight, and scoring three definitely helps.”
The ‘Cats now look ahead to the opportunity to open the new year with a sweep, as these two teams return to the Berry Events Center for a 6:07 p.m. puck drop on Saturday, January 11.
Dave Shyiak Postgame Press Conference
Ryan Duguay and Jakub Altrichter Postgame Press Conference
Game Highlights
How It Happened
The Mavericks got the game’s first powerplay just over three minutes into the opening frame. A pair of blocked shots and a trio of saves from Ouellette, and the ‘Cats successfully weathered the storm early.
It was the Wildcats who found the back of the net first, scoring with just under four minutes to play in the period. Hutchinson won a battle along the boards and slipped a little pass to Altrichter at the right faceoff dot. Altrichter spun around his defender and drove to the goalline to the glove hand of Tracy. Alertly, Altrichter saw Duguay crashing the far post, fired a pass through the crease, and Douguay redirected the feed past the outstretched Tracy to give NMU the lead.
The Mavericks came out of the first intermission and scored just 30 seconds in. Hillman corralled a loose puck along the right wall and walked into the faceoff dot. Hillman fired a wrister through traffic that found a way under Ouellette’s arm on the short side.
The ‘Cats were whistled for a penalty shortly after but were once again stout on the kill. Romer forced a turnover and streaked in on a breakaway, forcing the Mavericks to take a penalty.
On the ensuing power play, the ‘Cats orchestrated a perfect passing play to regain the one-goal lead. Altrichter walked down the middle from the point and slid a perfect pass to Hutchinson on the right faceoff dot. Hutchinson made a quick one-touch pass to Duguay streaking down the slot once again, who had a yawning cage to look at to bury his second of the evening.
Halfway through the second period, Minnesota State captain Josh Groll was given a five-minute major and game misconduct, giving the ‘Cats an uninterrupted man advantage. Poshak had a back-door tap-in robbed by an outstretched Tracy, and the Mavericks snuck away unscathed.
NMU was called for too many men on the ice, and the penalty kill had work to do. The ‘Cats did a great job at getting sticks into passing and shooting lanes, and the special teams came through once again.
Altrichter kept his feet moving and drew a tripping penalty, sending the ‘Cats on a powerplay, and were able to convert. Ewart walked the line and fired a shot from the point. Argentina was screening the goalie and the rebound came right to his stick on top of the crease. He slid a pass to who else but Duguay, who crashed the net and emphatically completed the hat-trick to give the ‘Cats a 3-1 lead.
Following the Wildcat goal, NMU took penalties 44 seconds apart and gave the ‘Mavs an extended five-on-three powerplay. A gutsy effort from the special teams, including multiple crucial blocks, and the Wildcats stood their ground and killed the penalties to maintain the two-goal lead.
NMU was called for a slashing penalty with three minutes to play. A fluttery shot from the point found its way through a screen, and the puck was behind Ouellette before he could see it, and the Mavericks were within one.
Down to crunch time and the Mavericks pulled their goalie for the extra skater. Timely saves from Ouellette and solid defending, and the ‘Cats rang in the new year with a win.
