Caiden Gault scores for Wildcats
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — The Wildcats opened the Cappo Cup season series with the Lake Superior State Lakers with a 2-1 overtime loss.
The Wildcats (1-20-0, 1-12-0 CCHA) earned a CCHA overtime point and got the 11th goal of the season from senior alternate captain Caiden Gault, who was named third-star of the game. The Wildcats had several skaters return from injury, including netminder Oliver Auyeung-Ashton, who made 28 saves for a .933 SV% in his first game back since early November.
Girts Silkalns and Kyle Bettens added assists on the Gault goal, Olivier Beaulieu made his NMU debut, and both Zane Demsey and Danny Ciccarello skated in game 100 of their respective collegiate career.
The Lakers (7-13-1, 4-9-0 CCHA) thought they opened the scoring, but captain Connor Milburn found his way on top of a sprawled-out Auyeung-Ashton, and the goal was immediately waved off. After the disallowed goal, the Wildcats carried the play for seemingly the rest of the period. The shot count ended 8-8 after the first 20 minutes, but NMU held a 21-9 advantage in shot attempts and held a clear advantage in high-danger opportunities. Both teams were unsuccessful on their only power play opportunity, respectively, with Joe Schiller’s minor penalty carrying over for a minute and a half into the second period.
The Wildcats killed the rest of the carryover penalty, and the best chance from any team came from an abbreviated Michael Burchill breakaway. The Lakers broke the scoreless deadlock 14 minutes into the second period, as Calem Mangone converted on a one-timer from the left faceoff circle. The Wildcats brought intensity in the final minutes of the middle period, but it was the Lakers who controlled the majority of play, outshooting NMU 12-8 with 21 attempts to 16. Both teams took two penalties in the second, but both were offsetting minors.
NMU evened the game a minute and a half into the third period, as Caiden Gault scored his 11th goal, finishing off a beautiful bang-bang play from Bettens and Silkalns. After the goal, NMU found momentum similar to the first period, outshooting LSSU 14-7 in the final frame with Jakub Altrichter nearly ending the game with two seconds remaining in regulation.
In overtime, Auyeung-Ashton made a save on a two-on-one, Medrick Bolduc hit the post at the other end, then defenseman Adam Barone scored the second goal of his collegiate career on a breakaway after receiving a perfect pass from Branden Piku.
‘Cat Nips
- Gault (11-0–11) added to his team lead in goals and points with a goal today, giving the senior alternate captain five goals in the last four games.
- Silkalns (1-5–6) now has assists in back-to-back games to go with a goal and four assists in his last six games.
- Bettens (0-7–7) now holds the team lead in assists, as the senior transfer from UMD has four assists in his last four games.
- Both Zane Demsey and Danny Ciccarello skated in career games 100 tonight.
- Auyeung-Ashton returned to the crease after an injury, making his first start since November 8, 2025, against Michigan Tech. Oliver made 28 saves for a .933 SV%.
- Olivier Beaulieu and Max Weilandt were both injected into the lineup tonight, with Beaulieu making his collegiate debut as the extra skater and Weilandt as the third goaltender.
How It Happened
The Lakers thought they opened the scoring three and a half minutes in, but it was immediately waved off for goaltender interference.
The Wildcats had a pair of abbreviated breakaways early in the second frame, as both Burchill and Argentina had chances but were unable to beat Rorke Applebee.
Auyeung-Ashton made the save of the game 13 minutes into the second period, as the freshman moved laterally from his right to left. Shortly after the spectacular save, the Lakers opened the scoring, as Calem Mangone converted on a nearly identical play, but this chance moved from Auyeung-Ashton’s left to right.
The ‘Cats evened the score just a minute and a half into the final period, as Bettens won a battle in the corner and made a play to Silkalns, sneaking into the circle. Silkalns played a pass to the stick of Gault at the far-side post, and he redirected the pass over the pad of Applebee.
Bolduc hit the pipe at the other end, then the Lakers came the other way. Piku, as his team was changing, displayed great patience at the Wildcat blueline before playing a saucer pass to an unchecked Barone, who stormed down the slot with speed. The blueliner made a decisive shot to the five-hole, and the Lakers skated away with a 2-1 win.
Up Next
Game two of the Cappo Cup in-season tournament is tomorrow, with puck drop at 6:07 p.m. ET from Taffy Abel Arena.
