North Michigan News

Rivalry weekend is set to take place in the Upper Peninsula as the Northern Michigan Wildcats men's ice hockey team prepares to face off against the Michigan Tech Huskies for the first time in the 2025-26 season. The Wildcats, who currently hold a record of 0-10-0 overall and 0-2-0 in conference play, will play a home-and-home series with the Huskies, who are 5-3-0 overall and 2-0-0 in CCHA competition.

The series begins Friday at John MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton, followed by Saturday's game at Berry Events Center in Marquette. Friday’s puck drop is scheduled for 7:07 p.m., while Saturday’s game starts at 6:07 p.m. Both games will be broadcast locally on FoxUP, with Mark Evans providing play-by-play commentary and Dave Ellis as color commentator. Fans can also stream the games on MidcoSportsPlus or listen via Radio Results Network (100.3 The Point).

The Wildcats return home after a road trip to South Dakota where they opened their conference schedule against Augustana Vikings, one of the top teams in the CCHA. Head coach Dave Shyiak reflected on that series during his weekly media availability.

"They're a really good opponent; I had them picked in the top two [in the CCHA preseason coaches poll]," said Shyiak. "They do everything right: they don't cheat the game, they protect the middle of the ice, and you have to earn your offense against them."

Northern Michigan played Augustana to a scoreless first period before trailing by one goal heading into the third period of Friday’s contest, which ended with a 2-1 loss.

"Any time you can [hold a team scoreless after the first period] on the road against a good opponent, it levels the playing field. And then to only be down 1-0 going into the third period, you'll take that [under the circumstances]."

Augustana scored once each in both remaining periods, including their first power play goal in four games during the third. Freshman forward Tobias Pitka scored for Northern Michigan over that weekend and goaltender William Gramme made 46 saves on Friday night.

"I thought they carried the play a little in the second period... I thought we struggled with our puck [management], our [defensemen] struggled to advance pucks to the next zone, and then in the third period we had chances to score, and we need to capitalize," said Shyiak.

The Wildcats were unable to convert on a five-on-three power play opportunity lasting ninety seconds late in Friday's game—an advantage highlighted by Caiden Gault hitting a shot off of Augustana's crossbar. The Vikings' penalty kill was successful three times out of three opportunities that evening.

"I thought special teams won them the game... On power plays, if you aren't scoring, you have to be able to generate shots. You get energy from that, and we were unable to do so... On power play you talk about puck speed...we were just too predictable... When you're on a five-on-three you have to generate some grade-A's... If you keep a team hemmed down for a minute and half and you're getting four or five shots that's good momentum for next shift but we were unable to do that."

On Saturday, Northern Michigan delivered what Shyiak called "one of our best games of year," holding Augustana scoreless through twenty minutes for consecutive nights while recording their second-highest single-period shot total since 2004—taking an early lead into intermission behind another goal from Pitka and strong goaltending from Oliver Auyeung-Ashton.

"We did a lot of good things [on Saturday], and I thought we were better team for two-and-a-half periods. I loved how our guys responded... After losing how we did on Friday it's always mental challenge come back be better... We rose up played better carried play," said Shyiak.

Despite outshooting Augustana (42 shots—the most under Shyiak’s tenure), NMU could not maintain its lead as Augustana rallied with three unanswered goals late for another win.

"They have some good players…they scored two net-front goals…created chaos front…give kudos them…did better job at that…not happy disappointed didn't come away points…but positive is how responded Saturday…and message group liked lot our game still have do more find ways win."

Statistically this season Northern Michigan has struggled converting power plays—tied for fewest man advantage goals (8.6% conversion rate)—and ranks among most penalized teams within CCHA while allowing several power play goals themselves (80% penalty kill success).

Shyiak emphasized improvement is ongoing: "Special teams are really important…double-down every week…will need stay out box this weekend." He noted Tech holds strong marks both on special teams within conference standings.

"With our young group we're still tooling combinations finding out what works what doesn't work learning who's threat score who's better passer still working way through that…have right people ice just have cash in…special teams goaltending having puck faceoffs all matter this weekend."

Looking ahead toward facing Michigan Tech—a program now led by Bill Muckalt after sweeping Ferris State earlier this fall—Shyiak commented:

"I have lot respect Billy his staff…the Huskies play little differently than when under Joe Shawhan." He pointed out key returning forwards Isaac Gordon and Stiven Sardarian as difference-makers along with new additions including transfer goaltender from Lindenwood.

"It's all about growth getting better…and we are getting better not getting results want but that's part process…" he added regarding progress through season despite current record.

Goaltending remains competitive between Gramme (Wisconsin transfer) and freshman Auyeung-Ashton; both netminders have started five games apiece thus far with no clear starter yet determined moving forward according to Shyiak:

"They've each had five starts they've both been playing really well…I think that's great [internal] competition…so might go rotation we're still sorting through that."

As anticipation builds around one of college hockey’s oldest rivalries—with sold-out venues expected—Shyiak stressed using these matchups as developmental milestones:

"It's great college rivalry…it’s what college hockey all about…the venues are going sold out…and weekends like this should bring best out you…games always tightly contested emotions high but we have take next step: generate offense breaking pucks out managing pucks right way when there aren't plays made…and good special teams."