North Michigan News

The Northern Michigan University hockey team was defeated 5-2 by the No. 19/20 ranked Colorado College Tigers on Saturday at the Berry Events Center in Marquette, Michigan.

First-year Wildcats Mathew Ward and Tobias Pitka each scored their first career goals during the game. Ward also contributed an assist. Despite these efforts, Colorado College had points from 11 different players and outshot Northern Michigan 34 to 31. The Wildcats blocked 17 shots, with Michael Burchill leading with five blocks.

Jakub Altrichter assisted on Ward's goal, marking his fourth assist of the season and bringing his career total to 20 assists in 36 games. Kyle Bettens also recorded his first point as a Wildcat with an assist.

Both teams were penalized four times. Northern Michigan converted one power play opportunity, while Colorado College scored twice on the power play. In faceoffs, Colorado College led 35-27; Altrichter was the only Wildcat with a winning record in faceoffs at 15-12.

With this loss, NMU’s record falls to 0-6-0 for the season, while Colorado College improves to 5-1-0.

The game began with a close call for the Tigers less than a minute in, but after review no goal was awarded. Shortly after, Seth Constance scored for Colorado College at 6:36 in the first period. The Tigers added another goal on a power play by Bret Link before Ward answered for NMU with his first collegiate goal during a man advantage.

After one period, Northern trailed by one despite being close in shots on goal. In the second period, Klavs Veinbergs extended CC’s lead to 3-1. Early in the third period, NMU nearly closed the gap but did not get a timely review on a potential goal.

Riley Stuart made it 4-1 for Colorado College before Pitka responded immediately for NMU with his first career goal off an assist from Bettens. Owen Becker then sealed the win for CC with another goal late in regulation.

Northern Michigan will host Michigan State next weekend at Berry Events Center.