After all the hard work and anticipation, the UWRF Falcon men's hockey team opened up their 2011-12 season on Friday night in front of 730 fans at Hunt Arena as they hosted the Lions of Finlandia University. The Falcons were coming off a 12-14-2 season in which they made it to the NCHA Peters Cup Semifinals after upsetting rival UW-Stout in the first round.

In net for the Falcons was sophomore goaltender Scott Lewan (Westland, MI, Alberni Valley, BCHL).  Lewan served as the primary starting goaltender for River Falls last season, accumulating a record of 9-10-2 (including playoffs) as well as recording three shutouts in his early but exciting collegiate career. Lewan would go on to tally another shutout to his resume following Friday night's matchup.

Representing the Lions at goaltender was Cedrik LeFrance. LeFrance, a freshman, held up valiantly for his first collegiate start but was unable to stop the relentless Falcon offense that hammered shots at every opportunity.
The first period was characterized by big hits and open ice checks as the two teams battled for possession of the puck. The physical style of play held up throughout the first period as the two teams unleashed what they have worked for and anticipated all offseason.

Despite the frequent checks and physical play, penalties were held to a minimum. The Falcons kept themselves out of the penalty box for the entire period and dominated possession the puck. UWRF outshot Finlandia 14-2 as they bombarded the freshman goaltender with a fast welcome to the NCHA.

The Falcon offense continued to take advantage of every offensive opportunity in the second period. Sean Roadhouse (Tulsa, OK, Texas, NAHL) lit up the scoreboard for the first Falcon score of the season with a well placed rip on net at 1:21. Roadhouse, a senior and leading presence in the Falcon locker room, tallied 2 goals and 7 assists last season.  Roadhouse proved that he would continue to be a diligent offensive factor this season when he ignited the Falcon offense early in the second period with the score. Assisting Roadhouse on the goal was teammates Jon Schreiner (Lakeville, MN, Fairbanks, NAHL) and the leader in points last season for the Falcons, Justin Brossman (Littleton, CO, Sioux City, USHL).

River Falls would continue to keep on the pressure as they launched a shot on LeFrance on nearly every offensive possession. Geoff Shewmake (Chicago, IL, Bradford, GMHL) would send one home following a beautiful set up and assist in front of the net from Jason Yuel (Winnipeg, MAN, Prince George, BCHL). Yuel received a pass from Alec Hagaman (Peoria, IL, Topeka, NAHL) before cutting in front of the net and dumping a pass off to the open Shewmake who sealed the deal.

The Falcons continued to pour it on as the second period came to a close. Blake Huppert (Wasilla, AL, Alaska, NAHL) would score the first goal of his collegiate career on a power play opportunity following a crucial tripping penalty on Warren Webster. Huppert sank the shot at 19:27 and received assists from George Malliaras (Palos Hills, IL, Texas, NAHL) and Brossman.

Andy Inderieden (Maple Grove, MN, Topeka, NAHL) put the nail in the coffin at 3:51 in the third period with a goal to put the Falcons up by 4. Inderieden was assisted by Ryan Goodmanson (Clear Lake, WI, Kenai River, NAHL) and John Bullis (Frisco, TX, Texas, NAHL) on the score.

From that point on, the game became a highlight for Scott Lewan as he continued to blank the Lions despite several key offensive opportunities. The Falcon penalty kill came up strong twice in the period with the help of Lewan's lights out performance and several strong defensive stands. Lewan recorded 16 saves in the game for the shutout as the Falcons were able to keep Finlandia relatively quiet on offense for the entirety of the game. UWRF outshot Finlandia 42-16.

The Falcons will be facing off against Finlandia again tomorrow night at Hunt for the second game of the two game series. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m.

Box Score