One of the best-kept secrets in town related to sports is that the Northern Michigan University women’s club hockey team has a winning record of 15 wins and only two losses.

Most people don’t even know that the team exists. Last year the NMU Women’s club team made it to the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division 11 national tournament.

This year the women are the No. 1 team in the west division and they are working toward another post-season appearance in the tournament.

The NMU women’s club team has key games this weekend against Rainy River Community College. One of the two losses the team has this year was to Rainy River. They usually have limited attendance at the games with mostly family and friends attending. This is where the Marquette hockey community comes in and can play an important role in the success of the team this weekend. All you need to do is come to the games.

Admission is free so bring the whole family. The game times are 1 this afternoon and 11 a.m. Sunday at the Berry Events Center. The Marquette area is known as a strong hockey town and this weekend that can be proven to be true with a strong attendance at the games.

The NMU women’s team has the top five scorers in the country on the team. Allison Carlson of Marquette leads all scorers in the country with 70 points including 38 goals in 17 games. Teammates Sierra Rusinek, Ciara Kangas, Kendall Turro and Carlie Kangas are also listed as part of the top five scorers in the country.

The NMU women’s team is self-funded and managed. Team members have to run the team like a business making all travel plans, reservations and all other business related items to host a team. They have to raise all the funds to pay for all their equipment and travel expenses. This means the girls play for the love of the game.

I want to ask all sports fans/hockey fans to please take the time to come to the games this weekend and show your support for this winning team. This is a great group of young women and they deserve your support.

Now that the best-kept secret has been exposed, it is time to come out and support the team. Your support will have a huge impact on the team. The impact that a home crowd and home ice can have on the team can’t be underestimated.

Please come out and be a difference maker in helping the NMU women’s club hockey team improve their record with two potential wins this weekend.

The cost to attend the games this weekend is free. The impact your attendance at the games can have is invaluable.

Editor’s note: Jim Reevs is publisher of The Mining Journal.