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NMU icers fall short

MARQUETTE After a long layoff, the Northern Michigan University hockey Wildcats took to the ice Friday night against No.-3 ranked Minnesota State.

The result was definitely not what the Wildcats wanted.

NMU was heavily outshot the entire game and didn’t have an answer for the high-powered Mavericks’ offense. As a result, the Wildcats were dealt a 4-1 loss.

“They kicked us around good,” NMU head coach Walt Kyle said. “They are a really good team.

“I didn’t think we responded very well defensively. I thought even emotionally, we weren’t as good as we needed to be.

“We gave them a lot of time and space, and they took advantage of it,” he added.

The game began with NMU goaltender Mathias Dahlstrom not in the lineup for the third straight game on a coach’s decision.

Michael Doan ended up getting another start in net and looked sharp early until Mavericks forward Bryce Gervais tucked a shot just inside the side post to give MSU a 1-0 lead.

The Mavericks finished the opening period up 17-7 in shots.

NMU got on the scoreboard early in the second when captain Ryan Kesti tapped in a rebound after a scramble in front of the net. Cohen Adair and Joseph Manno picked up the assists.

The Mavericks answered quickly as Brett Stern went one-on-one with Doan in front of the net and beat him five-hole.

Just nine seconds later, MSU struck again when Teddy Blueger popped in a wraparound goal.

Later on, after getting three straight power play opportunities, MSU defenseman Casey Nelson fired a slap shot past Doan to make the score 4-1 after two periods.

“That second goal shouldn’t have ever happened,” Kyle said. “Ryan Trenz had the puck and you can’t try to beat a guy in that situation. You just get rid of the puck.

“Their guy did exactly what he was supposed to do. He manned up, took the body and Doan let in a bad goal.

“They just came at us,” he added. “It was a 4-1 hockey game and it could’ve easily been a 6-1 hockey game.

“That one back-to-back shift shouldn’t have happened.”

The third period was fairly uneventful. MSU continued to put pressure on Doan and the Wildcats’ defense, but NMU was able to keep the Mavericks from doing any more damage on the scoreboard.

“It’s not good to lose a game ever,” Kyle said. “It’s good to play against teams that will make you pay when you make mistakes.

“They force you to not make mistakes. They (the Mavericks) are legit and we just aren’t there yet.”

The Wildcats will try to bounce back tonight in meeting the Mavericks at 7:07 at the BEC.

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 246. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.

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