Grant Potulny Head Coach | Northern Michigan University Athletics Website
Grant Potulny Head Coach | Northern Michigan University Athletics Website
The Northern Michigan University men's hockey team lost 3-1 to No. 16 Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio, in the final game of their road non-conference schedule. The Wildcats kept the game close until a late empty-net goal by the Buckeyes sealed the result.
Freshman goaltender Oliver Auyeung-Ashton made his first collegiate start for NMU, recording 45 saves. This is the highest number of saves by a freshman goaltender in their NMU debut since the modern NCAA era began in 2004, and the most by an NMU freshman since Atte Tolvanen made 46 saves in 2015. Auyeung-Ashton is also only the ninth freshman goalie in the past 20 years to make 45 or more saves in their collegiate debut, and just the second in the past decade.
The Wildcats started strong, creating several scoring chances in the opening minutes. However, two early penalties gave Ohio State opportunities, which NMU managed to kill off with key saves from Auyeung-Ashton. Late in the first period, Ohio State scored twice in quick succession, with Nathan Lewis and Adam Eisele finding the net.
In the second period, NMU generated more offense and kept Ohio State from scoring. Freshman Landon MacDonald scored his first collegiate goal in his debut, cutting the Buckeye lead in half. "MacDonald received a breakout pass from Silkalns with speed, and he beat his defender wide on the left-hand side. The forward drove the net and made a move to the backhand from in tight, beating Eberly from in close." Minutes later, Evan Johnson appeared to tie the game for NMU, but after a coach's challenge and official review for goalie interference, the goal was overturned.
The Wildcats had opportunities to tie in the third period, including a power play and a late push with their goalie pulled. However, Felix Caron scored an empty-net goal from across the ice to secure Ohio State's win.
Girts Silkalns recorded his first point as a Wildcat with a primary assist on MacDonald's goal, while Joe Schiller added a secondary assist—his second point in four games this season. Michael Burchill led all centermen with 13 faceoff wins. NMU was outshot 48-24 and lost in faceoffs 34-30. Both teams went scoreless on power plays.
The Wildcats will return home to host Colorado College at Berry Events Center on October 17 and 18.
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