Northern Michigan University's Joe Nardi skates stick to stick with his No. 18 counterpart from Michigan Tech, Alex Nordstrom, during their CCHA game played at the Berry Events Center in Marquette on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (Photo courtesy NMU)

MARQUETTE — The Northern Michigan University hockey team returns to the Berry Events Center tonight to kick off a four-game home stand.

The Wildcats host Central Collegiate Hockey Association foe Bowling Green State University tonight and Saturday as both teams look to pull ahead in the league standings.

Puck drop both nights against the Falcons is scheduled for 6:37 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online by going to tickets.nmu.edu or in-person at any NMU ticketing outlet.

AGAINST THE FALCONS

All-time the Falcons hold the slim advantage over NMU, as the Wildcats trail the series 53-57-10. In their most recent meeting, the Wildcats won the WCHA Quarterfinal best-of-three series, 2-1, in Ohio.

The Wildcats took game one of the weekend series by the narrowest of margins, 4-3, before dropping game two and force a deciding game three.

NMU dominated that final game as WCHA rivals, coming out with a 5-1 victory to advance to the WCHA Semifinals last season.

Last season, eight current Wildcats boasted multiple points against the Falcons during the season series, including Joseph Nardi who led the team with two goals and three assists against BGSU. Vincent de Mey (3-1-4), Mike Van Unen (0-4-4) and AJ Vanderbeck (0-4-4) were all just behind with four points a piece.

Jett Jungels net his first career goal last January agains the Falcons while three others in Hampus Eriksson, Garrett Klee and AJ Vanderbeck all picked up their first career point (assists) against BGSU.

In 62 meetings in Marquette, the Wildcats own a 29-26-7 record against the Falcons.

FOLLOW ALONG

Live Stats: https://nmuwildcats.com/sidearmstats/mhockey/summary

Radio: https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/wupt

Video: https://www.flohockey.tv/

Twitter: @NMUHockey

Instagram: @nmu_hockey

Facebook: NMU Hockey

TikTok: @nmuhockey

LAST TIME OUT

The Wildcats are coming off a weekend sweep at Ferris State University, taking five of a possible six points in Central Collegiate Hockey Association play.

Eight individuals picked up multiple points over the two-game series, including Vincent de Mey with a team-high five (1-4-5).

In Saturday’s 7-6 overtime winner, two Wildcats net their first collegiate goals. Mack Byers opened the scoring for NMU, tying things up at 1-1 in the first with his first career goal before freshman Oscar Geschwind found twine for the first time later in the game. Geschwind previously recorded his first collegiate point the night prior with a pair of assists for a three-point weekend.

Following his productive weekend, Geschwind picked up CCHA Rookie of the Week honors.

‘CAT FACTS

Converting on 28.8 percent of their power play opportunities, the Wildcats are ranked seventh nationally and fifth with 17 total goals on the man-advantage.

The Wildcats average 4.00 goals per game which ranks fourth overall in Division I.

Hank Crone is fifth in the nation in assists per game, averaging just over one per game (1.08) with 16 helpers in 13 games played.

Tied for the team lead with 10 goals each, Mikey Colella and AJ Vanderbeck boast the sixth most goals among active Division I skaters.