The Falcon men's hockey team defeated the #15 ranked Yellow Jackets of UW- Superior in an NCHA conference match up by a score of 1-0 in overtime on Friday night.
The last time the Falcons played UW- Superior was on October 30th this season, where they fell to the Yellow Jackets in a disappointing home loss, 3-2.
River Falls entered the game in Superior with a record of 8-10-1, looking for their fourth conference win of the season. Head Coach Steve Freeman and the Falcons took the ice at Sinto S. Wessman Arena in front of the 717 fans in attendance with hopes to break their two game losing skid following a weekend series in Stevens Point against the Pointers.
At goaltender for the Falcons was the freshman Scott Lewan (Westland, MI, Alberni Valley, BCHL), who has been coming up with stellar performances in net all season long. Lewan, who has averaged 32 saves a start so far this season, earned the first shut out of his collegiate career on December 3rd against the Foresters of Lake Forest College in an out of conference match up at Hunt Arena. Lewan tallied his second shutout this evening against UW- Superior.
The first period consisted of fast paced, evenly matched hockey. The Falcons narrowly outshot the Yellow Jackets 10-9 in the period. In net for Superior was another freshman goaltender, Drew Strandberg. The Falcons did an excellent job of passing the puck and working everyone into the offense, as their 10 shots of the period came from nine different players. Placing two of the shots was sophomore forward Geoff Shewmake (Chicago, IL, Bradford, GMHL), who would certainly have his presence recognized later in the game.
No penalties were assessed in the first twenty minutes of play, as both teams played clean and conservative hockey as they battled for the early lead.
The second period also consisted of great goaltending and several missed offensive opportunities for both squads. The Falcons maintained excellent possession of the puck throughout the period as they outshot the Yellow Jackets 11-5. Jeff Burke (New Richmond, Topeka, NAHL) and Josh Calleja (New Richmond, Wisconsin, MnJHL) both had two shots in the period as they tried to sink the first goal of the game, but Strandberg held strong. By the end of the period, Sean Roadhouse (Tulsa, OK, Texas, NAHL) and Caleb Wolfgram (White Bear Lake, MN, Topeka, NAHL) had also been denied by Strandberg twice in the game.
Wolfgram and Yellow Jacket Jesse Junkermeier received the first penalties of the game at 6:04 in the second period for high sticking and roughing respectively. Neither team was able to score during the 4-4 play despite several opportunities.
Derek Kaiser (Crookston, MN, Alexandria, NAHL) and Kyle Leahy found themselves in a skirmish at the conclusion of the second period, and both received a two minute minor penalty for roughing that carried over into the beginning of the third period.
Both teams were unable to capitalize on two power play opportunities in the third period. Justin Faryna was sent to the box for tripping early in the period to give the Falcons a 4-3 chance, but the Yellow Jacket defense refused to back down. Casey Dion was later cited for interference, and the Falcons came up short on their second power play chance of the game. Ben Beaudoin (Inver Grove Heights, MN, Southern Minnesota, NAHL) served two minutes for interference just 30 seconds after Dion left the box, and Ryan Goodmanson (Clear Lake, Kenai River, NAHL) also received an interference call at 12:27 in the period. The Falcon's penalty kill unit came up big with the fate of the game, and perhaps even the season, on the line.
The Yellow Jackets totaled 14 shots in the third period to the Falcon's eight.
Shewmake would nail the game winning shot on Strandberg at 4:53 in the over time period, with just seven seconds left on the clock before a forced tie would commence. Shewmake's huge goal, his forth score of the season, was assisted by Alec Hagaman (Peoria, IL, Topeka, NAHL) and John Bullis (Frisco, TX, Texas, NAHL).
Lewan made four saves in the period to Strandberg's two. Both teams placed 32 shots on goal throughout the intense conference match up. With the victory, Lewan holds a record of 5-8-1 this season in net for the Falcons.
The Falcons will have the fourth and final game of their trip on the road tomorrow night against the College of St. Scholastica. The Falcons are 1-1 against the Saints this season, and have a cumulative series record of 58-36-3 against them. The opening faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m at Mars-Lakeview Arena in Duluth, MN.
Box Score
