Sunday, February 08, 2009

NMU, Stewart sweep Bowling Green

By Susannah Nichols/Northern Michigan Beat Writer Add Image

It's not often a hockey team can pull off a win on only eight shots, especially when the other team takes 43.

But Northern Michigan (11-13-4, 8-10-4-3 CCHA) did just that on Saturday to beat Bowling Green, 4-1. The win, along with a 3-0 shutout on Friday, capped off a weekend sweep for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats managed only two shots during the first period of Saturday's game, but made them both count. Jared Brown scored an unassisted shorthanded goal at 16:57 of the period and Gregor Hanson added his own unassisted tally two minutes later.

In the second period, the 'Cats only pulled off four shots, but once again used Bowling Green's power play to their advantage. Nick Sirota and Alan Dorich set up Mark Olver for a shorthanded goal. Ray Kaunisto added another marker early in the third.

Bowling Green finally capitalized on their power play with six minutes remaining, in the midst of outshooting the Wildcats, 20-2, in the third period alone. It was the only goal against Brian Stewart, who turned in a stunning 42-save performance.

Andrew Cherniwchan scored the first goal in Friday's contest, followed by two goals by Brown. Sirota had two assists on the night, and Olver, Billy Smith, and Erik Gustafsson earned assists as well.

Stewart made 28 saves for the shutout.

The series was the second consecutive sweep for the Wildcats.

Northern hits the road to face Notre Dame next weekend. They will stay on the road for a series against Miami before returning home to face Lake Superior State for their last games of the regular season.

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