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COLUMBUS, OH -- Courtesy:  NMU

The No. 14 Northern Michigan hockey team played the first game of its Central Collegiate Hockey Association series at the Ohio State University on Friday (Nov. 11) afternoon. The Buckeyes extended their 6-game unbeaten streak with a 4-1 victory over the Wildcats at Value City Arena.

NMU (4-4-3, 1-3-3-2 CCHA) scored the first goal of the game and led heading into the second period before OSU responded with four unanswered goals. The 'Cats took 10 penalties and were out shot 38-13 in the game.

Sophomore forward Stephan Vigier scored his sixth goal of the season 16:07 into the first period. Junior forward Kory Kaunisto picked up his second assist.

OSU's (7-3-1, 4-2-1-1 CCHA) Alex Szczechura scored the equalizer in the second period with assists going to Danny Dries and Al McLean.

The Buckeyes added three goals in the third period. Chris Crane scored on the power-play and Cory Schneider added two goals. First he scored an even strength goal at 17:28 and then an empty-net goal at 18:51.

Senior goaltender Reid Ellingson had 34 saves on the afternoon. Cal Heeter had 12 saves for Ohio State.

The 'Cats were 0-for-1 on the power-play while the Buckeyes were 1-for-7.

The two teams meet again on Saturday (Nov. 12) for the series finale. The puck will drop at a more traditional time of 7:05 p.m.

Game Notes: The game was played at 12:05 p.m. due to an Ohio State men's basketball game tonight at 9 p.m..Ellingson was named the third star.He has stopped 78 shots in his last two games...Vigier has nine goals in his career.