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Wildcat icers take it on chin to open season

By Journal Sports Staff

EAST LANSING — The last time the Northern Michigan University hockey team tangled with Michigan State, the Wildcats took down their former CCHA rival with the help of a late goal and an overtime winner at the 2015 Great Lakes Invitational in Detroit.

This time around, it was Northern that was stung late in the contest. With the game tied 2-2, MSU’s Mitch Lewandowski deflected a pass from Tommy Miller past Wildcats goalie Atte Tolvanen, who was sprawling across the crease.

After a brief review, the officials ruled it a good goal and MSU then nailed down its win with two seconds remaining on an empty netter by Taro Hirose.

The Spartans struck first eight minutes into the game on a power play tally by Zach Osburn, but three minutes later, the Wildcats tied things up at 1-1 on a fluky goal by Tony Bretzman, who is a graduate transfer from Notre Dame. Freshman Ty Readman and sophomore Joseph Nardi got the assists.

MSU took the lead less than six minutes into the second frame when Brennan Sanford rushed the net and backhanded a shot past Tolvanen. However, Northern tied the game 2-2 at the 9:41 mark when Darien Craighead tipped a shot past Spartans goalie John Lethemon. Adam Rockwood picked up the assist on the goal after leading the nation with 40 assists last season.

Tolvanen finished with 41 saves, making this the 13th time that the senior passed the 40-save mark. The last time that happened was last October in a game against Ferris State.

The Wildcats will try to earn their first win again tonight when they tangle with the Spartans again at 7:30 in East Lansing.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Stieg. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.

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