In games heard on 88.1 FM KVSC, the Northern Michigan Wildcats came away with the sweep this weekend over the St. Cloud State Men’s Hockey team in Marquette, Michigan. The Wildcats won 5-2 Friday night, and took game two 3-2 on Saturday from Berry Events Center. 

FRIDAY

Playing in their first game against each other since St. Cloud State’s 4-3 2OT win over the Wildcats in the 2010 NCAA West Regional, the two teams took the ice in non-conference action. Friday’s game saw SCSU get on the scoreboard first when freshmen defenseman Jarrod Rabey scored to give SCSU a 1-0 lead late in the first period. The goal was Rabey’s first in the NCAA. Northern Michigan came right back and tied the game on a Reed Seckel tally under a minute later to make the game 1-1 after one period.

The second period was the difference as the Wildcats pounced on the Huskies for three straight goals. NMU’s Kyle Follmer scored with only 11 seconds on the clock in period two to make it 4-1. Despite a late push by SCSU including a goal from Jared Festler, the Wildcats added an empty net goal for a 5-2 win. Mike Lee kicked aside 26 shot in the loss. 

SATURDAY

Head Coach Bob Motzko gave first-year goalie Ryan Faragher his first NCAA start Saturday and the Wildcats would get to him, and Huskies, early in route to a 3-2 win. Northern Michigan notched two goals early in the first period and controlled the play. St. Cloud looked to respond, and finally found the back of the net with only 2.9 seconds left in the first period. Sophomore Cory Thorson jammed one in front and Joey Holka knocked it into an open net for his first NCAA goal to cut the lead to one.

The Wildcats would respond on a Erik Higby goal in the second to make it 3-1. The NMU forward split the SCSU defense and fired a shot over Faragher’s glove for the eventual game-winning-goal. Festler again scored late to make it close, but it wasn’t enough as SCSU took the loss.

The Huskies (1-3, 0-0 WCHA) have now dropped three straight heading into their home opening series this weekend versus New Hampshire at National Hockey Center. Puck drop for this weekend’s games is slated for 7:37 pm Friday and 7:07 on Friday. As always, KVSC will broadcast the games, with Zack Fisch and Dave Overlund having the call.

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