Northern and Tech hockey open the CCHA season with rivalry series

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) -Michigan Tech enters the conference opener with a 2-2-0 record after beating Alaska at home earlier this month and being swept by Clarkson last weekend in Houghton.

Northern Michigan is 1-5-0 coming off a winless weekend at home against Arizona State.

The rivals met in a friendly less than a month ago and both head coaches believe the two sides are now vastly different, even in a short space of time.

“I think we have a little more cohesion in our play,” NMU head coach Dave Shyiak said. “I thought we did a good job there, working hard and putting pressure on pucks. We need to clean up some aspects of our game.”

“They outplayed us in that game,” Tech Head Coach. said Joe Shawhan. “They probably controlled the last 25-28 minutes of that game. We ended up getting some power plays and scoring some power play goals. Their punishment killing will be better and more experienced at this time.

Friday will mark Dave Shyiak’s first rivalry game as NMU’s head coach.

He’s looking forward to everything the first episode of the rivalry will bring.

“It’s bragging rights for the UP. It always has been,” Shyiak said. “People are calling me now who can’t get tickets because it’s sold out. That’s what college hockey is all about, so we’re super excited to start league play against Michigan Tech.”

Shyiak and Shawhan go way back, so their familiarity with each other could come to light this weekend.

“He’s a character, a hard-working, competitive, fiery guy,” Shawhan said.

You can watch Friday’s TV6 game and Saturday’s Houghton game on FOX UP.