As our Huskies (13-9-2) enter the last weekend of January they will playing their arch rivals the Northern Michigan Wildcats (4-19-1) for *Checks Notes* the 5th and 6th times for the season. The Wildcats have finally started to pull it together as they are currently on an unheard-of win streak for the first time this season.
Analysis
The Wildcats are finally putting things together with an upset win against Mankato, and then a sweep of Bemidji State just a week later. From what it appears like, Head Coach Dave Shyiak has complete buy-in from his players and they are looking to play a sound defense and capitalize on offensive opportunities throughout the game. Looking at their top players this trend holds true:
There really isn’t much too different from what we’ve been seeing all season with the Wildcats, they aren’t scoring much, but if they are able to take a lead they are seemingly able to lock down the game and hold the opposing team at bay. Bending but most certainly not breaking.
This can be seen very evidently in their series with BSU looking at our InStat graphs:
The thing to note from these charts are in the shot maps and just how many “x”’s there are on the BSU side. These are blocked shots and the Wildcats have no problem putting life and limb on the line to help netminder Ryan Ouellette in any way they can. Shyiak has a defensive system, and it is now working by all measures so far.
Our Huskies, on the other hand, have seen a bit of shift between quality efforts and seeming lack thereof in other games. This was on full display last weekend in Mankato, with game one being a disappointment, but game two seeing the locking down that we would expect of a Joe Shawhan team. With NMU on a roll this weekend it is looking to be a much better rivalry matchup than the other four times they have met this season.
Keys to the Game
- Score First. The key to beating NMU will be to score first and take a lead. Once Tech has the lead it should be easier to hold than against other teams.
- Level heads. This is the final meeting between these teams, and with the CCHA using points percentage and cutting the 9th team for the playoffs, NMU has a snowball’s chance in hell of getting in as of right now. Tech needs these wins and shouldn’t accept anything less than a sweep. Don’t give NMU any chance to get into the game. Play Huskies hockey.
- Defense first. Tech is still working on their defensive game so far this season. The Huskies need to keep the game low scoring for NMU and keep developing their systems to make a playoff run here in the near future.
My Prediction
NMU is flying high, but I think Tech is going to bring them back down to earth. The need to and should win this series, the question will end up being how hard will they make it for themselves? MTU win 3-1, MTU wins 2-0.
The guys on our Chasing MacNaughton Podcast also made predictions for this coming series against the Wildcats.
Cover photo courtesy Michigan Tech Athletics.
InStat plots created by Zach Aufdemberge.
How to Watch
Both games are available through Mix 93.5 for audio featuring Dirk Hembroff (free), via Midco Sports Plus* (paywall) for video. Game 1 will be in Houghton on Friday at 7:07 ET. Game 2 will be in Marquette on Saturday at 6:07 ET.
*Midco Sports Plus is also the source of all games played in CCHA buildings this season so don’t be afraid to sign up for a month or the year. Midco Sports Plus now has apps for iOS, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Roku.
Jonathan graduated from Michigan Tech in the spring of 2018 with a degree in Physics and Social Science in addition to a minor in Social and Behavioral Studies. He spent his college career watching hockey with the Misfits where he became the treasurer in his last year. When not traveling to away games he resides in Hancock working for a local engineering company and keeping up with all things Tech Hockey.
