The Falcon men's hockey team was defeated by the Yellowjackets of UW- Superior by one goal in a very close and highly competitive matchup on Saturday night at Hunt Arena.

The Falcons were able to get on the board first following a holding penalty on Derek Stauber at 2:40. Eric McLintock (Traverse City, MI, Traverse City, NAHL) capitalized on the power play opportunity, as he scored his second goal of the season at 4:34. Assisting McLintlock on the goal was John Bullis (Frisco, TX, Texas, NAHL) and Tad Norris (Snowmass, CO, Kenai River, NAHL). The freshman forward has been playing excellently for the Falcons, as he scored his first goal against the Yellowjackets last night.

Andrew Harrison (Sault Ste. Marie, ONT, Fargo-Moorhead, NAHL) extended the Falcon's lead to two at 12:55, sinking a shot on Yellowjacket goaltender Garrett Tinkham. Tinkham earned his first start of the season for the Yellowjackets, as the UWRF offense dominated against goaltender Drew Strandberg on Friday night. Assisting Harrison on the goal, his first of the season, was Geoff Shewmake (Chicago, IL, Bradford, GMHL) and Martin Sundstedt (McKinney, TX, Topeka, NAHL).

Superior struck back hard in the second period. Brad Phenow cut the goal differential to one, scoring on Falcon goaltender Eric Babcook (Centennial, CO, Canmore, AJHL)at 10:25. Phenow was assisted by Jordan Menke.

Tempers flared shortly after Phenow's goal, as Superior's Jeff Forsythe, Tyler Klein and Josh Kesler were each cited for two minute roughing penalties at 10:54. Also sent to the penalty box were Falcons Alec Hagaman (Peoria, IL, Topeka, NAHL), Jeff Burke (New Richmond, Topeka, NAHL) and McLintlock. Burke and McLintlock both received roughing penalties, and Hagaman earned fifteen minutes in the box for game misconduct and a facemask citation. All of the penalties were crucial, as the Yellowjackets received a long power play opportunity.

Drew Stauber tied the score on the long power play at 15:03. Stauber was assisted by Talon Bernando and Logan Isley.

At 18:06, the Yellowjackets would score the game winner. The goal came on the stick of Joey Massingham, with assists from Tom Budziakowski and Chad Blanleil.

The third period was just as aggressive as the previous 30 minutes, however both defenses held strong and each team was kept from scoring.

Babcook made 25 saves throughout the game after playing for 59:02. Babcook was only removed from the net in the last minute to give UWRF a man up opportunity. Babcook made ten saves in both the first and second period, and five in the third. He now holds a record of 2-1 on the season.

The Falcons now hold a record of 2-1, and are 1-1 in NCHA competition after both winning and losing in their weekend series against Superior.

River Falls will be facing off against the Auggies of Augsburg College in Minneapolis next Friday. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7 p.m. The Falcons currently hold a 19-10-3 series record against the Auggies.