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The #9 Central Michigan Chippewas made the 30-mile drive down M-20 to take on the Northwood University Timberwolves as they looked for a big win after getting swept by the #5 Grand Valley State University Lakers last week.

The Timberwolves came into this matchup with going 1–2 in the past week. Splitting a weekend series with Lawrence Tech with both games resulting in a score of 6–5. And a Wednesday night game against Adrian College where they fell by a score of 7–5.

The first period of play was very evenly matched. Both teams came out aggressive and got many shots on goal. With nothing but a goalie battle happening in the first five minutes, the first penalty was handed out to Matt Hensley of Northwood University for slashing. After a short-lived man advantage, CMU’s Jacob Standre picked up a high sticking penalty to initiate a short 4 on 4. Throughout the short powerplays for both teams, the game was still scoreless.

Just a few minutes of play later, Chippewa defenseman Jacob Lancucki picked up a two minute minor for tripping, putting the Chips down a man with 9:25 left in the first period.

It only took the Timberwolves’ powerplay line five seconds to net the first goal of the game. Right off a faceoff in CMU’s zone, Northwood defenseman Nick Sleeper ripped a shot from the top of the circle off a feed from Hensley and snuck the puck under the blocker arm of Central Michigan goaltender Michael Schwanke. Putting the Timberwolves up 1–0 at the 9:20 mark of the first period.

Shortly after Northwood’s goal, defenseman Justin Larue made a trip to the box after an elbow on a CMU forward. With the Chippewas on a man advantage, Standre netted a powerplay goal off a pass from Brendan Nelson to tie the game at one. Which was the score at the end of the first period.

Both Standre and Nelson both extended their point streaks with that powerplay goal. With Standre now at 17 games and Nelson at 14 games.

Central Michigan had a slow start to the second period, as they got outshot 10–3 in the first 11 minutes. Strong play from Central Michigan goaltender Schwanke kept the game tied at one.

At the halfway point of the game, Justin Larue of Northwood University got called for boarding after hitting CMU defenseman Alex Lasky. Shortly after the play was blown dead, Lasky retaliated against Larue, resulting in both players (Lasky and Larue) getting ejected from the game. Lasky also picked up an abuse of an official penalty which will result in a suspension (number of games in TBD). Lasky and Larue’s actions led to offsetting five-minute major penalties. But Lasky’s abuse of an official penalty tacked on another two-minute minor for Central Michigan. Northwood was unable to capitalize on the powerplay.

#4 Dalton Sutherland (Photo by: Tyler Lajiness)

The Chippewas turned up their offense in the second half of the period. At the 6:32 mark, CMU finally took the lead after a shot by Dalton Sutherland (assists: Brennan Martin and Nelson) went 5-hole on Timberwolves goaltender Brendan Campbell to take a 2–1 lead.

Sutherland wasted no time tacking on another goal for himself. Just two and a half minutes later he slapped home a shot into a wide-open net as the goaltender Campbell was unable to get over in time. Putting the Chippewas up 3–1 heading into the second intermission. With assists coming from Standre and Nelson, this goal gave Sutherland and Standre their second points of the day, as well as Nelson’s third through two periods.

The third period of play was full of shots, but not a lot to show for any of them. Central put up 11 shots in the third period and Northwood had 13 shots in the final frame.

The only goal scored in the third period was an empty-net goal from Nelson (assisted by Sutherland) from 150 feet. Giving the Chippewas a 4–1 lead and giving Nelson his fourth point of the night with just 23 seconds to go.

Even with the Chippewas getting the empty netter, they were still looking for another goal to help with the goal differential stat within the ACHA ranking system. Within the final 23 seconds, Central Michigan had two scoring chances but was unable to net another goal. Ending this game with a 4–1 Chippewa victory.

CMU goaltender Michael Schwanke made his first start in two months and came back better than ever. Schwanke only allowed one goal on a total of 40 shots faced against the Timberwolves giving him a 0.975 save percentage on the night. Improving his record to 4–1 on the season in seven games played. He was a key reason why the Chippewas came out on top in this one.

#31 Michael Schwanke (Photo by: Tyler Lajiness)

Central Michigan’s record improves to 14–9–1, as Northwood University falls to 8–12–0–1 on the season.

The Chippewas will be back in action Sunday, February 9th at 1:30 P.M. at the Ice Arena in Mount Pleasant, as they look to complete the sweep of the Timberwolves and get back into 8th place in the North.