College hockey is streaming paradise for fans, literally dozens of games to choose from on winter weekends. But one series, and one game in particular, stopped most fans from clicking away: Northern Michigan versus No. 1 Minnesota Duluth up in Marquette. Not only were the Wildcats leading on the scoreboard, but they didn’t retreat one step from the renowned checkers from the western shores of Lake Superior. Despite the extra-wide ice surface, body blows were being thrown and received on every square foot of ice.

“There was no room on the rink,” said Potulny. “That was definitely the fastest, most physical game we’ve played all year.”

Friday night woke the echoes of the old WCHA wars, when Herb Brooks’ Gophers battled Mike Sertich and his Duluth Bulldogs tooth and nail. Or to bring it forward to the 21st century, it was like the 13 seasons of Grant Potulny’s Gophers clashing with Scott Sandelin behind the Duluth bench. Old time WCHA hockey was back in vogue at the Berry Event Center. 

“It sure felt a lot like that,” said Potulny. “Everybody was big and fast and physical.”

A clarion call went up on social media Friday night, as superpower Duluth was on the ropes to upstart Northern before a raucous crowd. 

If you want to see an NCAA Tournament game in December, do yourself a favor and tune in to the Duluth Northern Michigan game

— Tim Rappleye (@teeraps) December 4, 2021

The Wildcats of the CCHA held on and finished off the team that sat atop both the polls and the Pairwise rankings. A remarkable win, and a great night out for the fans that jammed into the Berry. Saturday’s result, however, was a forgone conclusion; the heavyweights would get off the mat, dust themselves off, and restore hockey’s balance of power. Even contemplating a sweep of Duluth, the program with a Frozen Four birthright, is folly. Potulny sensed danger when his phone blew up with texts of well-wishers deep into the night Friday. 

“I was actually nervous about that on Saturday with our players,” said Potulny. “I am sure there were plenty of texts to them, too. I wanted to make sure we were in a space, a head space, where we could come back and do it again." 

Returning to the rink, Cats assistant coach Byron Pool could feel the tension in the building. "This feels like the playoffs," said Pool to Potulny. The key to winning playoff games is to score first, and Northern did it for the second straight night when Bo Hanson found the back of the net in the game’s second minute. It gave Northern a lead that would never relinquish, because Potulny has an asset extremely rare in college hockey today: a plethora of offense.

“We have [several] guys up front that are having really good seasons,” said Potulny. “It’s a different line each night. You don’t have to rely so heavily on the power play.” 

The goal scoring kingpin for the Cats is the irrepressible A.J. Vanderbeck, who leads the CCHA with 14 snipes. 

“He’s got the best shot of any player I’ve ever coached, including World Junior teams,” said Potulny. “He’s got a really good offensive brain, he knows how to find [quiet] ice, and he’s got a deadly shot. ”

The junior from Monument, Colorado has found the net in five straight games, able to score from anywhere within a 50-foot range of the net. He is usually accompanied on the scoresheet by gifted playmaker Hank Crone. 

“Hank has such good vision, he can pull some guys to him,” said Potulny about his magical pair. “A.J. has a feel that the puck’s going to come to him, and when he gets it, he’s zoned in on attacking the net.” Their productivity is making national news: Crone leads the country with 20 assists; Vanderbeck is second in the nation with his 14 goals. 

Duluth is not a team built to run and gun, and they were unable to keep up with the Cats on the scoreboard for the second straight night. The sights and sounds coming from the live stream revealed a Northern Michigan crowd brimming with puck love, many clad in green and gold jerseys. 

“The announcer was great, the band was great,” said Potulny. “Hopefully we can keep playing well, winning at home, and building on the momentum.”

Entertaining the Berry faithful was a major consideration when Potulny scheduled a non-conference lineup that included national powers Notre Dame, Boston University and Minnesota Duluth. It could have proved to be a double-edged sword. 

“There’s a bit of a balancing act to make sure you don’t schedule a treacherous non-conference schedule,” said Potulny. “When you have them at home, and you have success, it’s fun!”

Consider this a watershed moment for Potulny and his Cats. Regardless of whether there is a letdown in their next series at Lake State, nothing can ever take away the glow from last weekend’s hockey Mardi Gras at the Berry. Sweeping the best team in the land won’t soon be forgotten.