Wolverines down Wildcats to open CCHA play

The Michigan Wolverines came on strong late, scoring three unanswered goals to top the Northern Michigan Wildcats 3-1 on Friday night.

After jumping out to a 1-0 lead on a Nick Sirota goal with less than four minutes remaining in the first period, the 'Cats hit the wall and were unable to produce another point.

The special teams aspect of the game posed problems for NMU once more.

After going 0-5 on the power-play, NMU is now 1-16 on the season. Michigan was 2-9 with the advantage on Friday.

Northern also committed ten penalties to Michigan's six.

The Wolverines got a pair of goals from senior captain Kevin Porter and another from freshman Carl Hagelin.

And while it is obvious that this Michigan squad has talent, they don't measure up to last year's group. Yet.

Sure, their penalty kill was solid and their power-play produced when given enough opportunities (one 5-on-3), but they aren't as high-powered, offensively. When watching these two teams battle it out last year, it always seemed like the NMU fans were just holding their breath, waiting for the dam to bust (see Michigan's 8-3 playoff victory).

I didn't get that feeling on Friday. Porter is a very solid player, as is Kolarik, and the Wolverines have a lot of talented freshman, but this is a team that the Wildcats can easily compete with, as was demonstrated by the first period of play on Friday.

If they can stay out of the box and spark the same kind of offensive movement that they had in the first 20 minutes of game one, the 'Cats should walk away from this series with a split.

Three stars of the game as selected by the media:

1) Kevin Porter - UM
2) Chad Kolarik - UM
3) Nick Sirota - NMU

Final shots: NMU 14, MICH 30
Power-play: NMU 0-5, MICH 2-9
Final score: NMU 1, MICH 3
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Also, a NorthWind game recap and Sirota interview.

Second Period Update: NMU has left the building

After two periods, the Wildcats and Wolverines are tied at a goal apiece.

The Wolverine goal came from senior captain Kevin Porter during a 5-on-3 advantage. Stewart made the initial save, but Porter fired the rebound past the sprawling tender.

Michigan controlled the pace of play all period long, out-shooting the Wildcats, 9-2. Both of NMU's shots came from beyond the top of the circle.

Also working against the 'Cats in the period were six penalties. They spent nearly half of the period killing penalties and, until the 5-on-3 kicked in, did a fine job.

Shots after two: NMU 9, MICH 16
Power-play: NMU 0-2, MICH 1-7
Score: NMU 1, MICH 1

First Period Update: My Sirota

After one period in a nearly-full Berry Events Center, NMU leads 1-0 after collecting a goal from Forward Nick Sirota.

Sirota was busy all period and led the 'Cats with four shots on goal. He scored the lone goal with 3:57 remaining in the frame. The marker came from directly in front of the cage when Matt Butcher picked up the loose puck and directed it to Sirota, who backhanded it into the net.

Shots after one: NMU 7, MICH 7
Power-play: NMU 0-2, MICH 0-2
Score: NMU 1, MICH 0

The Real Deal

I know I said I would post after last weekend's matchups. But I didn't.

Long story short, the Wildcats downed Tech on Friday and fell to UMD the next night. But tonight is when it really starts.

The Wildcats play host to the Michigan Wolverines (1-1) in their first conference series of the year. Despite losing a ton of fire power after last season, the Wolverines are perennial contenders and Chad Kolarik and Kevin Porter will test the Wildcat defense.

The Wolverines are much like the 'Cats in that they are fielding 12 freshman on their roster.

Wolverine goaltender Billy Sauer has allowed seven goals in his first two games while earning a .841 SV%. He looks like the Sauer of early last season and could be a weak point in the Wolverine D.

The puck drops in the first game tonight at 7:35.

Wildcats down Tech in first game of 2007-08

In the first game of the 2007-08 season, the Northern Michigan Wildcats defeated the U.P.-rival Michigan Tech Husikes, 3-2.

The game, which was the first of two NMU games in the Superior Cup, took place in Houghton on Friday night. Wildcat goals rolled in from Nick Sirota, T.J. Miller and freshman Jared Brown.

Assists on the night went to Andrew Fernandez, Andrew Sarauer, Matt Butcher and Sirota.

More on the weekend after the weekend.

NMU Season Preview

An NMU season preview (via me and the NorthWind) can be found here.

And a feature on Wildcat captain T.J. Miller.

And a feature on Wildcat captain Billy Smith.

Wildcat captains named for 2007-2008 season

Despite knowing about this earlier, I was asked not to write anything about it until NMU Sports Information issued a press release about it (and NMU Sports Information isn't the quickest agency).

The Northern Michigan captains for the 07-08 season will be sophomore defenseman TJ Miller and sophomore forward Billy Smith.

Between them, the two have a single year of in-game experience for the Wildcats (32 games by Miller last season).

Smith, a transfer from UAA, was forced to sit out last season (via NCAA rules) and has yet to play a minute for the 'Cats.

Although the move may seem surprising, Kyle said that the decision was an easy one, however. Smith has practiced with the team for the past year and the coach said that Smith was the hardest-working player every single day.

That's impressive for a guy that had no shot of playing last year.

Kyle has said again and again that the youth of the team with be their biggest asset and their biggest hindrance, adding both energy and inexperience.

After last season, NMU lost their veterans and their leaders and have returned only three seniors for this season (Siddall, Sarauer and Cosgrove).

Its unclear whether these young captains will be able to lead a young team to the promised land, but it is clear that Kyle has, at this point, put his faith in the squad's youth.