Especially in recent play, the Michigan Tech Huskies would like to claim total dominance over Northern Michigan’s Wildcats hockey team, but can historical results back this up? Since their first match in 1979, the two teams have faced off a total of 185 times, with scores available for public scrutiny. Michigan Tech bested NMU in their first match, but both teams have experienced their periods of dominance, leaving the title of best hockey team up for grabs.
Recent history has been kind to the Huskies, with a seven-game win streak over NMU since November 2024. This record comes close to the longest win streak between the two, also held by MTU at eight consecutive wins from 2020-21. Additionally, the Huskies lead in all-time series wins, though with 88 and 82 wins respectively, the gap is narrow. On the other hand, NMU holds the record for most all-time goals and largest victory, a 9-0 shutout in 1999.
The Wildcats and Huskies have alternated in their reign periodically for the past three decades. Northern Michigan thrived in the late 1990s-2000s, putting up impressive statistics, including a ten-game unbeaten streak (wins or ties) ending on Jan. 5, 2001. This period of success continued until their 2013 season, seeing a record of 33-14-8 during this time. Eventually, MTU found its footing and has since controlled the rink with an impressive 41-14-2 record since 2013.
The two teams met in the 1981 Frozen Four tournament, which represents the first and only time they would meet in an NCAA tournament. Had they each won their matches, they would have gone head-to-head for the national championship. Unfortunately, both Michigan teams were soundly defeated; NMU lost 1-5 against Wisconsin and MTU 2-7 against Minnesota.
The answer to the question of “who has the better hockey team?” is not entirely straightforward when considering the full history of the two. In order to make an argument, a time period must be specified. 2013 would have been a great time to be a Wildcats fan, but recent history shows that the Michigan Tech Huskies own the hockey rivalry, at least for now.
