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Loss to Falcons ends Wildcats’ season

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The 2014-15 season started off well for the Northern Michigan University hockey Wildcats, but the second half was mostly a disappointment.

That second half came to an end Saturday when Bowling Green State defeated the Wildcats 4-1 to sweep a first round WCHA series.

NMU’s season ends with a five-game losing streak and an overall season record of 14-18-6.

The game started off similarly to Friday’s contest. After a scoreless first period, the Wildcats got on the board first when Zach Diamantoni scored his first goal of the season past Falcons goalie Tommy Burke at the 8:55 mark.

Darren Nowick and Robbie Payne assisted.

However, BGSU answered a minute later on Tyler Spezia’s sixth goal of the season.

The Falcons took the lead at the 14:17 mark when Brandon Hawkins sneaked the puck past NMU goalie Michael Doan.

NMU had some nice opportunities in the third period as a shot from Diamantoni went just wide of the net and Burke just got his pad on a blast from Nowick.

Doan continued to come up big on the other end for the Wildcats until late in the frame when Hawkins scored his second goal of the game.

After killing a penalty with time running out, the Wildcats’ frustrations boiled over. NMU was whistled for another penalty with a minute remaining in the game and defenseman Mitch Jones was ejected for throwing a water bottle onto the ice.

The Falcons (23-10-5) play Michigan Tech Friday at the WCHA Final Five in St. Paul, Minn.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Stieg. He can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 246. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.

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