Monday, October 23, 2006

Wildcats overrun Stampede

The Northern Michigan Wildcats (3-2-1, 1-1-1 CCHA) traveled to Omaha over the weekend and came home with the Mutual of Omaha Stampede Championship.

It wasn't easy though as the Cats had a tough battle in their opener, beating the UMass-Lowell River Hawks 2-1.

The Hawks started the action with a Jason Bergeron power play goal near the midway point of the opening period.

Matt Siddall scored his second of the season for NMU at 17:48 and the two teams left the ice after one period with a 1-1 tie.

Siddall also assisted on Mike Santorelli's eventual game winner on the pp at 10:31 of the second period.

Bill Zaniboni did the job from there, stopping 21 total shots in net for the win.

The late Friday game at the Stampede wasn’t even close as the host Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks trampled the Niagara Purple Eagles, 10-1, setting up an all CCHA title match.

The game proved to be not much of a match at all as the Wildcats beat up the Mavericks, 5-2.

The Wildcats started hot in the finale by going up 3-0 by the 7:03 mark of the second period.

That was all Zamiboni needed as he turned away 27 of 29 shots for his third consecutive win between the pipes.

Santorelli powered the Cats again with two goals and three assists and was named tourney MVP.

Joining Santorelli on the all-tournament team along with teammate's goaltender Bill Zaniboni, defensemen Nick Zach Tarkir and forward Matt Siddall.

The Wildcats return to Marquette next weekend to host the Ohio State Buckeyes in a pair at the Berry Events Center.

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