February 18, 2010
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Northern Star
by Nick Lowman/CHN Reporter
Northern Michigan is starting to peak at the right time and with less than two weeks to go in the regular season, the boys from Marquette, Michigan seem primed for solid playoff run.
Perfect so far in the month of February, Northern Michigan has played more consistent then they have all season. With an inspiring performance that lead to a weekend sweep over the 14th-ranked Ferris State Bulldogs a couple of weeks ago the Wildcats have been pouncing on opponents ever since.
Leading the attack is junior forward Mark Olver, who continues to deliver virtuoso performances on a nightly basis. In the last four games, the native of Burnaby, B.C., has racked up seven points and now ranks second in the CCHA in scoring. In essence, the fifth-round draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche in 2008 can flat out bury the puck and have a tremendous impact on the game.
Olver is the type of player that can help a team avoid slumps and one who can fill a void of, in parlance, the home run hitter. He’s the type of player that every opponent knows his location on the ice at all times. More importantly, he helps players around him be better.
Before the Wildcats' recent turn of events however, Northern Michigan struggled to find consistency. In fact, they have had to work overtime to find it.
“I think every team has an identity and ours is forechecking,” said Olver. “We didn’t have that at the start of the season and as the season’s progressed we became a lot better because of it.”
Winning the last few weeks has been critical to the program. Vying for a top four finish in the conference warrants a first-round bye for the playoffs which the Wildcats could surely use. So far this season they have played in nine overtime games and have won the last three in shutouts.
Role players have played a huge part in the success of Northern’s late run. Scoring has been widely spread out and Brian Stewart, after a poor start to this season, has made the most of his opportunity and has been excellent between the pipes.
“I can’t imagine them not making timely plays for us if we’re going to have any kind of success,” Olver said. “Our role players have stepped up for us this season and we’ve definitely been getting good goaltending from Brian Stewart.”
The offensive sniper has also stepped up his play in the defensive zone and has worked hard at becoming a solid two-way player. Olver is fourth on his team in plus-minus and has a clear understanding what it takes to help his team win.
“If there’s one thing I need to work on it's defense,” Olver said. “If you’re going to play at the next level, you can’t be a liability or you’re not going to be played.”
This weekend, the Wildcats will be tested when they travel to Ann Arbor for a two-game series against Michigan. Northern Michigan has not fared well on the road this season, posting a 3-5-4 record. It’s no secret that to win any kind of championship, teams must be able to win on the road and no better place to start then Yost Ice Arena.
