Both UWRF and Hamline University entered their early season matchup at Hunt Arena with an undefeated record, however only the Falcons would manage to keep their streak alive following an impressive 8-1 rout of the Pipers on Friday night.

In net for River Falls was the always-impressive sophomore goaltender Scott Lewan (Westland, MI, Alberni Valley, BCHL). Lewan entered the game with back to back shutouts against Finlandia University to begin the 2011 season, and planned on keeping his lights out performances alive again against the Pipers. The starting goaltender for Hamline University was senior Beau Christian.

The first period proved to be relatively uneventful offensively as both teams struggled to maintain possession of the puck. Each team emphasized physicality early as big checks characterized the first twenty minutes of play, however the Falcon offense was able to outshoot the Pipers by a lopsided 13-4 ratio.

Scoring the lone goal of the first period was last season's leader in points scored for UWRF, senior Justin Brossman (Littleton, CO, Sioux City, USHL). Brossman has proved that he will be a dominant force on offense again this season by tallying points in every game thus far, and his prowess over opposing goaltenders continued on Friday night. Brossman's goal was assisted by fellow senior Sean Roadhouse (Tulsa, OK, Texas, NAHL), as well as Adam Cardwell (Long Beach, CA, Wichita Falls, NAHL). The point was the first of Cardwell's collegiate career, and would prove to only be the beginning of his huge night on offense.

Geoff Shewmake (Chicago, IL, Bradford, GMHL) extended the Falcon lead to 2 goals just forty six seconds into the second period with a clean rip on net. The goal was Shewmakes third of the season in just as many games, and he was assisted by Alec Hagaman (Peoria, IL, Topeka, NAHL) and John Bullis (Frisco, TX, Texas, NAHL).

At 3:03 in the second period, Jake Calleja (New Richmond, WI, Wisconsin, MnJHL) would go on to score the first goal of his collegiate career to extend the Falcon lead. Calleja, the young brother of Josh Calleja (New Richmond, Wisconsin, MnJHL), a leading factor in the Falcon offense last season as a senior, was unassisted on the goal. The younger Calleja, a freshman this season, has seen plenty of ice time thus far and has showed that dominating on the ice runs in the blood.

Zach Johnson of Hamline gave the Falcons a scare with the lone Piper goal of the game at 5:19 in the second period. The goal game shorthanded while Brian Arrigoni sat in the penalty box for an interference call. Johnson was assisted by Sam Leslie on his second goal of the season.

Johnson's goal was the first allowed by Lewan all season. The score broke Lewan's streak of 141 consecutive minutes in net this season without allowing a score.

Johnson's goal would make little difference however, as the Falcon's struck back immediately. At 6:38, Alec Hagaman sunk his second score of the season to put River Falls on top 4-1. Hagaman was assisted by Cardwell and Falcon captain Jason Yuel (Winnipeg, MAN, Prince George, BCHL).

At 10:23, Willie Hess (Lino Lakes, MN, Fresno, NAHL) would go on to hit the mesh, giving the Falcons a four goal lead. Hess has been an impressive and dominant factor in the Falcon offense, despite this being his first year of NCAA competition. The goal was Hess's second of the season, and he was assisted by fellow freshman Blake Huppert (Wasilla, AL, Alaska, NAHL). Following Hess's goal, the Pipers pulled Christian from the net and replaced him with Matt Hemingway.

Despite the change in goaltenders for the Pipers, the Falcon offense remained relentless. Cardwell, on top of the two assists he recorded in the first two periods, would go on to score back to back goals in the third period. Cardwell's first goal came at 4:30 and was the first of his collegiate career. Assisting Cardwell on the score was George Malliaras (Palos Hills, IL, Texas, NAHL). Cardwell hit the back of the net again at 11:34, again with an assist from Malliaras as well as Brossman. Both of Cardwell's goals came on power play opportunities.

Shewmake would seal the deal at 17:16 with his second goal of the night. The goal was Shewmake's fourth of the season, and he was assisted by Hagaman as well as Derek Kaiser (Crookston, MN, Alexandria, NAHL).

“We were able to create some turnovers tonight and we took advantage of those in getting scoring chances,” said Falcon Coach Steve Freeman after the game. “We skated very hard and played a good, physical game.”

The Falcons will attempt to keep their unbeaten record alive again tomorrow night as they face off against the Royals of Bethel University. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:05 at Hunt Arena.

Box Score