Senior center Joe Nardi made the Second Team, sophomore forward Andre Ghantous got a slot on the Third Team and goalie Rico DiMatteo made the Rookie Team.

Nardi finished with 28 total points, which is tied for second in the conference, while his 18 assists are second. In league action, he was tied for third in points (17), tied for second in goals (seven) and tied fifth in assists (10).

If that wasn’t enough, he led the WCHA in total faceoffs won with 333 and was tied for first overall with 11 points on the power play.

Ghantous led the WCHA in conference points with 20 and also had the most assists in league play with 14. In 14 WCHA games, he averaged 1.43 points per game, which was also a conference best.

From left, Northern Michigan University's Griffin Loughran, Joe Nardi, Hank Sorensen and Andre Ghantous celebrate Nardi's goal during the second period of a WCHA game against Bowling Green State on Feb. 21 at the Berry Events Center in Marquette. (Photo courtesy Shannon Stieg)

Ghantous’ scoring streak during the latter part of the season earned him WCHA Forward of the Month and in his final 10 games as he racked up 16 points, including five goals and 11 assists. That assist total led the country during that period.

DiMatteo was a bit of a surprise blessing for NMU as he was a midseason enrollee and didn’t make his debut until Feb. 2, which was an overtime road win over Lake Superior State.

However, he finished 4-4-1 in nine games with a .903 save percentage, a 2.78 goals against average and a shutout win over Bowling Green State, this weekend’s playoff opponent.

The Wildcats also had 16 players make the WCHA All-Academic Team.

Ghantous and Nardi both made the list along with Vincent de Mey, John Hawthorne, Jett Jungels, Nolan Kent, Garrett Klee, Griffin Loughran, Ben Newhouse, Mason Palmer, Ty Readman, John Roberts, Brandon Schultz, Mike Van Unen, A.J. Vanderbeck and Tanner Vescio.

Joe Nardi

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 252. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.

Andre Ghantous

Rico DiMatteo