The Lake Superior State Lakers defeated the Northern Michigan Wildcats 7-5 in a high-scoring men’s ice hockey game on Friday night in Marquette, Michigan. The result moves the Lakers to 10-19-2 overall and 7-15-1 in Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) play, while the Wildcats fall to 3-27-1 overall and 3-19-1 in conference games.
With this win, Lake Superior State secures a 3-0 lead in the Cappo Cup series for the season, ensuring that the trophy remains in Sault Ste. Marie. The Wildcats remain six points behind Ferris State for the final CCHA playoff spot.
Both teams had strong special teams performances. The Lakers converted three of eight power play opportunities, while Northern Michigan scored twice on five chances. Each team also registered a short-handed goal. The Wildcats led in faceoffs (37-24) and blocked shots (17-15), but were outshot by Lake Superior State 34-28.
Five Northern Michigan players recorded both a goal and an assist: Michael Burchill, Tynan Ewart, Mathew Ward, Joe Schiller, and Peter Cisar.
The game’s first period saw Burchill score on a power play following effective puck movement. After two goals were disallowed due to goalie interference—one for each side—Ewart scored his first goal of the season to give NMU a 2-0 lead after one period.
Lake Superior State responded quickly at the start of the second period with Hunter Ramos scoring just 24 seconds in after a favorable bounce off the end wall. Ramos then assisted Calem Mangone to tie the game at two. Connor Millburn gave LSSU its first lead directly off a faceoff, and NMU’s Aidyn Hutchinson received a five-minute major penalty that extended into the third period. The Lakers outshot NMU 13-4 during this frame.
In the third period, Ward stole the puck and scored short-handed to tie it at 3-3 only 19 seconds into play. Lake Superior State answered with three consecutive goals—including two within an 18-second span—to build a 6-3 advantage less than six minutes into the period. Schiller added a power play goal and Cisar scored with an empty net to bring NMU within one goal late in regulation. However, an empty-netter by LSSU with under half a minute remaining secured their victory.
Burchill achieved his second career multi-point game with one goal and one assist; his previous was against Ohio State on October 5, 2025. Ewart scored his first goal since October 19, 2024. Ward recorded his third career multi-point performance as he continues to contribute as a freshman with five points over his last seven games. Schiller now has four points over his last six contests, while Cisar earned his third multi-point outing of this season.
Jakub Altrichter picked up his first assist in thirteen games; Kyle Bettens has three points over his last three appearances; Tobias Pitka has collected four points across four games after going six straight without any; goaltender William Gramme started for NMU before being replaced by Max Weilandt early in the third period.
The Wildcats set new season highs for points (13), goals (5), assists (8), and power play goals (2). Historically, when scoring five or more goals since 2002, NMU is now 127 wins against just five losses and six ties—the most recent loss before this was against Minnesota Duluth two seasons ago.
Northern Michigan Wildcats Men’s Ice Hockey draws athletes from various international backgrounds as well as from across North America according to their official website. The team competes at NCAA Division I level as part of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and hosts home games at Berry Events Center in Marquette according to official sources.
The Wildcats will host Senior Night and conclude their Cappo Cup series against Lake Superior State on Saturday evening at Berry Events Center.
