MARQUETTE, Mich. — The NMU hockey team dropped the second game of the weekend series with the #14 Minnesota State Mavericks by a final score of 3-2.
It was a night of power-play success for both sides, as the Wildcats (0-16-0, 0-8-0 CCHA) and #14 Mavericks (10-2-4, 7-1-2 CCHA) each scored a pair of power play goals, with four of the five goals tonight coming on the power play.
The ‘Cats opened the scoring with a power play goal from freshman Michael Burchill before Bryce Strand scored the games only even-strength goal off a fortunate MSU bounce. Tristan Lemyre gave the Mavericks its first lead of the game, scoring on the power play with a minute left in the first period.
Jack Smith converted the eventual game-winning goal halfway through the second frame, and sophomore forward Grayden Slipec answered with a power play tally of his own, collecting his first goal of the season.
The Wildcats had chances to score with the goalie pull, but couldn’t solve netminder Alex Tracy, who made 31 saves (.931 SV%) on the evening. Wildcat goaltender William Gramme was equally as exceptional, making 33 saves (.917 S%) in an effort to keep his team within striking distance.
An even contest through and through, the ‘Mavs outshot the ‘Cats 36-33, had a slight advantage in the faceoff dot at 33-27, and both teams blocked 16 shots.
‘Cat Nips
- Burchill (3-1–4) added his second power-play goal of the season, and is now tied for the team-lead in goals. Burchill led the team with 10 shots and four shots on goal.
- Slipec (1-5–6) added his first goal of the season and the seventh power-play goal of his career
- Altrichter (3-6–9) extended his team-leading point totals with an assist today. Altrichter (10/23) and Tobias Pitka (10/18) led the ‘Cats in the faceoff dot.
- Argentina (1-2–3) now has a goal and an assist in his last three games played
- Ewart (0-5–5) added his third assist in his last six games
- Silkalns (0-2–2) registered his second career wildcat point
- Netminder Gramme made 33 saves on both outings, posting 66 saves and a .917 SV% in two games.
How It Happened
The Wildcats opened the scoring on the game’s first power play. The ‘Cats corralled the puck in the corner before Altrichter played a cross-seam pass to Burchill, who let go a wicked wrister to beat Tracy over the stick side.
The Mavericks got a lucky bounce after forcing a Wildcat turnover in the neutral zone. Strand came down on a two-on-one and made a cross-crease pass that deflected off a Wildcat defender and into the net.
The Mavericks got its first lead of the night on the man advantage near the end of the period, as Lemyre finished off a one-timer with a minute to go in the frame.
The Mavericks converted on the power play again in the second period, this time coming off the stick of Smith at 11:34.
The ‘Cats cut into the lead, on the man advantage again, and this time on a fortunate bounce of its own. Slipec’s pass toward Pitka hit a Maverick defender’s stick, redirecting the play past Tracy, and the ‘Cats entered the third period down one goal.
