Marquette, MI – January 5, 2024 – The Marquette Hockey Team hosted the Big Rapids Cardinals who had a long bus ride across the bridge. The game was broadcast live on Fox Sports Marquette 105.1-99.9 FM and online at foxsportsmarquette.com! Joe Gaffney and Coach Larry Carey were live on the call down in Big Rapids.
1st: Marquette struck first blood with an even strength goal from Caleb Janofski from Brody LaMere to give Marquette the early lead at 8:45. Marquette held the advantage all game in terms of face-offs and shots on goal. Big Rapids had a couple of offensive opportunities, but the Marquette defense played aggressively and kept the Cardinals at bay.
2nd: Marquette stayed on the gas to start the second. Great defense led to great offense as Cody Moyer forced the turnover and fed the puck to Adam Heikkila for the goal in the opening minutes . The Cardinals continued to struggle to create offense, but instead created turnovers. Marquette turned the turnovers into points, with a goal by team captain Nash Riipi.
Under two minutes later, Riipi would find the back of the net yet again as Marquette continued to punish the Big Rapids freshman goalie. Marquette freshman Seth Sandstrom sniped the puck passed the Cardinal goalie for the full line goal, assisted by Caleb Beerman and Caleb Fries. Beerman would get his turn to score next with the assist from Fries.
Big Rapids couldn’t close the flood gates as Tony DiMattia would give Marquette a 7-0 lead with another goal. Nash Riipi would find an opening as he fed the puck up to CJ Carter for a Marquette goal. Riipi would finish his hat trick with a quick shot that snuck in on a new goaltender, and give Marquette the 9-0 lead.
The game would end after the second period due to the “mercy rule” and would move the Marquette Hockey Team to an 11-2 record. Marquette Hockey is back in action on Wednesday the 10th as they face off against conference opponent, Jeffers Jets. The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Marquette 105.1-99.9 with puck drop set for 6pm!