Week 3 Review (Wisconsin)
The Oakland University Golden Grizzlies were back in action this past weekend against independent non-conference opponent Wisconsin Badgers. The team looked to continue to build off the previous weekend against Aquinas and was set for a two game home series with a newfound opponent in Wisconsin. Wisconsin, who is in the second year as a program, returned roughly two thirds of their lineup from their inaugural season and Oakland is the highest ranked team Wisconsin had ever played.
In the first game of the series, the Golden Grizzlies came out with poise and command that many fans are accustomed to. With the inexperience of Wisconsin and the long travel day, the Grizzlies managed to jump out to a 3-0 lead after the first period. Goals from Kyle Giza, Tommy Davis and Matt Cole led the period for the Grizzlies. Into the second period, the Grizzlies peppered Wisconsin with over 18 shots in the period which led the Grizzlies to open the door and take a commanding 10-0 lead. The last period would skate to a 2-2 tie with the final score a 12-2 victory for the Golden Grizzlies. Scoring their first ACHA goals in the contest were newcomers Matt Cole and Ethan Stabnick. These alongside goals from Nathan Hall (x3), Reiss Williams, Kyle Giza, Tommy Davis, Shane Arbour, Brian Evans, Jules Sainte-Marie, and Danny Fletcher led the Golden Grizzlies to victory. In goal, Max Pierce made his first home start at Buffalo Wild Wings Arena and made 27 of 29 saves.
On Saturday, the Golden Grizzlies hosted Wisconsin for game two of the weekend series. As with the previous weekends, the Grizzlies started much slower in the contest and managed to see a much-improved Wisconsin team in the second game. A quick goal from Wisconsin’s John Fitzpatrick opened the scoring and led to a 1-1 first period. Shane Arbour had the lone goal in the first period. As the game progressed, Oakland would get a goal from Kyle Giza in the second period which would prove to be the difference maker for the Golden Grizzlies as they would earn a 2-1 victory over Wisconsin. The Grizzlies outshot Wisconsin 41-30 in the Saturday contest. Goalie Max Pierce made 29 of 30 saves in the contest.
Week 4 Preview (Purdue)
The Golden Grizzlies’ season rolls on this coming weekend as the Golden Grizzlies face off against the Purdue Boilermakers. Purdue came to Buffalo Wild Wings Arena last year, and the team will be returning the trip to Indianapolis for a two-game set. Current Golden Grizzlies Head Coach Matt Stirling and his staff are 2-0-0 against Purdue. Purdue comes off a weekend split with ICHC conference opponent Miami of Ohio (W 5-2, L 6-2) and a sweep of McKendree the prior weekend. Purdue finished last season nationally ranked at 19th and just missed the tournament with a loss in their conference tournament to Indiana.
Looking at Purdue: Purdue returns roughly half of their roster for the 2025-2026 season. Leading the way last year for Purdue were returning forward #53 Ben Tobey (18-25-43), defenseman #43 Matthew Wheeler (12-22-34), and forward #27 Andrew Chan (10-2-12). Tobey continues to be a force for Purdue and has already scored 4 points so far in this early season. In goal, returning goaltender #30 Andrew Mittnacht returns after a 13-game season last year (GP: 13, 9-3-0, GAA: 2.59, SV%: 91.1%). #40 Ben Polster also returns in a backup role, who saw 3 games last season for the Boilermakers (GP: 3, 3-0-0, GAA: 2.00, SV%: 87.5%). Matthew Nelson leads the Boilermakers in his first season as head coach after serving as an assistant last season.
The team will travel on Friday to Indianapolis to take on Purdue at the Pop Weaver Youth Pavilion (Indiana State Fairgrounds). Game times for this weekend are 8:00 PM on Friday and 10:15 PM on Saturday.
Other News and Notes
The first ranking period of the season will be announced on 10/31 via social media and the ACHA website. The Golden Grizzlies ended last season ranked 3rd in the country. This will include all games through 10/26/2025. The rankings will be updated on a bi-weekly basis throughout the season, concluding with the final ranking period in February. The top 16 teams with some automatic bids for league winners will make the tournament which is hosted in St. Louis this season.
Nathan Hall had a hat trick against Wisconsin this past weekend.
Ethan Stabnick and Matt Cole scored their first goals in the ACHA this past weekend.
Max Pierce played all 120 minutes this past weekend in goal for the Golden Grizzlies while earning two victories.
Leaders
Leading in Goals: Nathan Hall (5)
Leading in Assists: Tommy Davis (7)
Leading in Points: Shane Arbour, Nathan Hall, and Tommy Davis (9)
Goaltending GAA Leader: Max Pierce (1.72)
Goaltending Save Percentage Leader: Max Pierce (94.7%)
Men’s Division III Out of Town Schedule for Week 3 Relevant Games
Michigan vs CMU (MCHC – East)
Adrian vs Northwood (MCHC – East)
Ferris State vs MSU (MCHC – West)
Colorado School of Mines vs UMass/Central Maine (x2)/UMass
Kent State vs West Virginia
University of Nebraska – Omaha vs FGCU
MCHC – East Standings (As of 10/13/2025)
| 1. | Michigan | 2-2-0-0 | 4 |
| T2. | Northwood | 1-1-0-0 | 2 |
| T2. | LTU | 1-1-0-0 | 2 |
| T3 | Oakland | 0-0-0-0 | 0 |
| T3 | Adrian | 0-0-0-0 | 0 |
| T3 | CMU | 0-0-0-0 | 0 |
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