NMU Hockey Team Picks Up Two Wins In Bemidji

The Northern Michigan University Wildcat hockey team won both games this weekend in Minnesota, beating the Bemidji State Beavers, 4-1 on Friday and 3-1 on Saturday. The Wildcats have now won three of their past four games after starting the season 1-18-1.

The following stories and photo are courtesy of NMU Sports Information.

SATURDAY GAME RECAP

BEMIDJI, Minn. - The NMU hockey team completed the weekend sweep, defeating the Bemidji State Beavers 3-1 on the road.

The Wildcats (4-19-1, 3-12-1 CCHA) have earned its third win in the past four games, the teams first sweep of the season, and first weekend sweep in Bemidji since February 13, 2021.

The Beavers (8-12-4, 5-8-3 CCHA) are now 0-4-1 since the holiday break and winless its past eight games.

The 'Cats scored three unanswered goals in the second period, opened by Ryan Duguay (6-1--7) continuing his hot hand with a power play goal to give the 'Cats a lead.

Then in quick succession 10 minutes later, it was Grayden Slipec (4-6--10) and Jakub Altrichter (3-9--12) scoring a minute apart to give the 'Cats a 3-0 lead.

Netminder Ryan Ouellette was sharp again, making 33 saves (.971 SV%) on 81 shot attempts from the Beavers. Ouellette also recorded his first career point with a secondary assist on the Slipec goal; the last time an NMU goalie recorded an assist was Beni Halasz on 2/24/23 in a 4-2 win over Bowling Green.

Just as last night, the Beavers lone goal came on the power play, and the 'Cats didn't allow a single five-on-five goal against the whole weekend. The 'Cats special teams got it done, going 1/2 (50%) on the power paly and 2/3 (66.7%) on the penalty kill, including a crucial kill with five minutes to go.

Altrichter (1-1--2) and Aidyn Hutchinson (0-2--2) both recorded multi-point games, their fourth and second multi-point games this year, respectively. Tynan Ewart rounded out the scoring with an assist of his own.

The 'Cats now look ahead to next weekend, bringing momentum into the home-and-home matchup against UP rival the Michigan Tech Huskies. NMU is on the road on Friday, January 24, and home on Saturday, January 25.

FRIDAY GAME RECAP

BEMIDJI, Minn. - The Northern Michigan University men's hockey team opened its first road trip of 2025 with a win, defeating the Bemidji State Beavers 4-1 from the Sanford Center.

The Wildcats (3-19-1, 2-12-1 CCHA) have now won two of its last three games, collecting six of a possible nine CCHA points and scoring eight goals in that frame. The Beavers (8-11-4, 5-7-3 CCHA) are now 0-3-1 since the holiday break and winless its past seven games.

Freshman Jakub Altrichter (2-8--10) broke out with his first two career collegiate goals and game-winning goal to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes of play, both coming in four-on-four situations.

Netminder Ryan Ouellette had a solid night between the pipes, making 24 saves on 25 shots for a .960 SV%, with the Beavers only goal of the evening coming on the teams only power-play opportunity early in the third period.

Late in the final period, Matthew Romer (5-3--8) caused a turnover and stormed in a breakaway to give the 'Cats its two-goal lead back before sealing the deal with the empty new goal with under a minute left.

The Wildcats were outshot 26-11, marking the first time the 'Cats won a game with 11 or fewer shots since 10/10/2008 in a 5-2 win against Michigan Tech.