Wildcats outshot 34-15
BEMIDJI, Minn. — The Wildcats dropped night one from the Sanford Center by a score of 7-3.
Northern Michigan (0-13-0, 0-5-0 CCHA) was on the wrong side of a historic night in Bemidji, as the Beavers (8-5-2, 6-1-2 CCHA) senior forward Connor McClennon scored four of the Beavers’ seven tallies. The performance marked the first Bemidji hat-trick since Ross Armour in the 2021/22 season, and is now just the second Beaver to score 4 goals in a game in the past 20 years.
McClennon is also the first skater in the CCHA this season, and just the second player in the last 16 seasons, to score four goals in one game. The most recent was Stepan Pokorny in the 2023/24 season, and before that, it was Tommy Wingels of Miami on December 11, 2009.
The Wildcats and Beavers combined for 10 goals, only the second time in history that these two sides have combined for 10+ goals in a game (March 3, 2023, 7-3 win for NMU). The last time NMU and an opponent combined for 10+ goals was a 6-4 win for NMU on November 10, 2023, against Lake State.
The Wildcats were outshot 34-15 and both teams found success on the man advantage, as NMU went 1/3 and BSU went 2/3. NMU held an advantage in faceoff wins (38-34) and blocks (13-12), with Altrichter leading the game in faceoff wins (13) and Grayden Slipec leading the game in blocks (3).
The ‘Cats skated to the first intermission only down one goal after being out shot 11-1 with 31 attempts to six and killing the period’s only man advantage. The game’s lone goal to this point came off a blast from Connor McClennon at the midway point after forcing a Wildcat turnover and catching the Green and Gold in a change.
The Beavers found a pair of goals just 22 seconds apart, as McClennon and Maxon Vig tallied goals in quick succession within the first two minutes of the middle frame. Senior alternate captain Caiden Gault tickled the twine just a handful of minutes later before McClennon completed his hat-trick to regain the three-goal lead. Michael Burchill scored on the power play, but Kasper Magnussen converted on a power play for the Beavers with a minute left in the period.
Bemidji struck early again, this time it was Jake McLean finishing a perfect pass from Jaksen Panzer two minutes into the third period. McClellan added his fourth on the power play in the third period, Danny Ciccarello registered his first of the campaign after creating a turnover, and the game would end 7-3.
‘Cat Nips
- Gault (5-0–5) scored his fifth goal of the season. Gault now has three goals and three assists in 10 games played against Bemidji in his career.
- Burchill (2-1–3) scored the first power play goal and point of his career against Bemidji.
- Ciccarello tallied his first goal of the season with an unassisted tally in the third period. One of the better faceoff men on the evening, the center won 11 of his 19 draws.
- In his return from injury, Slipec recorded his fourth and fifth assists of the season, surpassing Altrichter for the team lead in assists. Slipec now has four points (1-3–4) in three games against BSU.
- Tynan Ewart tallied his fourth assist of the season, matching Altrichter for second on the team.
- McClennon registered the first Bemidji hat-trick since Ross Armour in the 2021/22 season, and is one of only two Beavers to score 4 in a game in the past 20 years (Owen Sillinger, four goals in a 7-2 win over Ferris on 2/6/2021).
How It Happened
The Beavers opened the scoring after converting on a Wildcat turnover in the neutral zone. Labelle stole the puck from a rushing Wildcat before sliding a pass to Connor McClennon at the blue line. Catching the ‘Cats in the middle of a change, McClennon didn’t make it to the top of the circle before winding up a blistering slap shot that beat Gramme over the glove hand.
McClennon and the Beavers came out of the locker room and doubled its lead just a minute and a half into the frame. The forward walked right down the slot, uncovered, and redirected a pass from Namestnikov past Gramme.
The Beavers added its third just 22 seconds later, as a Labelle rebound landed on the stick of Vig, who let a shot go just as fast as the puck hit his stick.
Gault was heads up on an offensive zone draw, as a bouncing puck landed on the stick of the left-hand winger in the slot between the hash marks. Gault made a move to the forehand to beat a defender before firing a wicked wrister past the glove hand of Robbins.
McClennon completed his hat-trick after picking up a rebound on the side of the net.
Burchill finished off a great play and individual effort from Slipec, who gained the offensive blue line and chased the puck into the left corner before beating his defenseman and finding a wide-open Burchill in the slot.
Magnussen received a puck on the far side, and Gramme came out of his crease to challenge the shooter. Magnussen waited and made a move around Gramme before depositing into the net.
McClellan was left unattended on the power play, and he whistled a wicked wrist shot past the glove hand of Gramme.
Ciccarello forced a turnover on the half wall before making a quick turn to the slot. The right-handed forward made a dart to the high-danger area and let go a wrist shot that hit the back of the net and came back out in the blink of an eye.
Up Next
Game two from the Sanford Center is set for 7 p.m. EST.
