By Journal

Sports Staff

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Northern Michigan University goaltender Atte Tolvanen continued to climb the school record books Friday night as he tied the career shutout mark in the Wildcats’ 4-0 win over Alaska.

Heading into Saturday night’s game, Tolvanen had 12 shutouts, tying him with Craig Kowalski, who played for the Wildcats from 2000-2004.

Saturday’s game was still being played at press time.

The Wildcats got on the board early as they scored on their first shot of the game. Forward Joe Nardi got a pass from Griffin Loughran and found the back of the net just 51 seconds into the first period. Loughran finished with three assists in the game.

Late in the first, Northern cashed in again. Garrett Klee played a puck off the boards and fed it over to Grant Loven, who then beat Nanooks goalie Gustavs Grigals to the near post. The Wildcats went into the second period up 2-0.

After a scoreless second, NMU notched its third goal at the 14:37 mark. With the Wildcats on a 2-on-1 rush, Ty Readman got a pass from Loven and put the puck past Grigals to put Northern up 3-0.

The Nanooks pulled Grigals for the extra attacker when they got a power play opportunity in the final minute, but NMU forward Troy Loggins collected a loose puck and fired it down the ice for the empty netter, capping off the Wildcats’ victory.

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