The Wildcats return to two packed barns for the first time since the 2020 WCHA Quarterfinals in a series sweep against the new kids St. Thomas. The Cats’ had a ton of returning players and 4 new graduate transfers from Colgate, Denver, and Lake Superior State.
In Friday’s game the wildcats came out strong With goals from Michael Colella which was the first conference goal in the CCHA since 2013 and David Keefer in the first. In the 2nd the Tommies answer back with one from Luke Manning but the Wildcats also get one in the 2nd thanks to Rylan Van Unen. The Tommies couldn’t put up a comeback and the Wildcats get an empty net goal from Michael Colella to secure a 4-1 win on Friday. Michael Colella got 2 goals in the game, Tim Erkkila gets 2 assists and Rico Dimatteo stopped 21 out of the 22 shots he faced.
On Saturday it was a pretty even game until the 3rd. In the 1st period, both teams got 2 goals each AJ Vanderbeck and Connor Marritt got their first goals of the season and Marritt’s first of his college career and Kyler Grundy got both goals in the 1st for the Tommies. Late in the first Michael Van Unen got an open ice hit against Christiano Versich that resulted on a 5 minute major and ejection for contact to the head. St. Thomas got a goal early in the 2nd to secure their first lead in their short D1 career, that lead didnt last long when a little over 3 minutes later AJ Vanderbeck got a power-play goal to re tie the game. In the 3rd the Cats’ blew open the lead with a 5 goal period with goals from Hank Crone (2), Trevor Cosgrove, David Keefer, and Rylan Van Unen. The Wildcats won with a commanding 8-3 win to secure the series sweep.
The Wildcats stay home with an exhibition game against USTNDP and their first non-conference game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
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