The Falcon men's hockey team lost a 3-2 decision in the first game of the NCHA Peters Cup playoffs at UW-Stout on Friday night.
The two teams play again on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. If Stout wins the game they will win the best two-out-of-three game series. If the Falcons win, that will force a minigame that will be played Saturday night. The winner of the minigame would then advance to the NCHA semifinals.
Scoring the first goal of the game was Stout's Charles Lachance at 16:18 in the first period. Lachance was unassisted.
The Falcons leading scorer this season, Justin Brossman (Littleton, CO, Sioux City, USHL), struck back for his team with a power play goal at 19:08 following an elbowing penalty on Alex Breeden. Brossman was assisted by last week's player of the week, Andy Inderieden (Maple Grove, MN, Topeka, NAHL), and senior Josh Calleja. The goal was Brossman's 13th of the season, as he also leads the Falcons in goals scored.
River Falls outshot Stout 10-8 in the first period.
Sam Carr gave the Blue Devils the lead after scoring a goal on Lewan at 6:51 in the second period. Carr was assisted by Branden Gay on the score. Kevin O'Donnell would increase the Stout lead to two goals at 10:05. Assisting O'Donnell on what proved to be the game winner was Dan Cecka and Garrett Grimstad.
The Blue Devils outshot the Falcons 18-12 in the second stanza.
The Falcons attempted a comeback in the third period as they dominated the puck, but Stout goalie Tom Lescovich and the Blue Devil defense held strong.
Freshman defenseman Jeff Burke (New Richmond, Topeka, NAHL) narrowed the Stout lead to one goal after scoring at 16:03 with an assist from Ryan Goodmanson (Clear Lake, Kenai River, NAHL). The goal would serve to be the final score of the game, but the Falcons made every effort possible to tie the score. River Falls outshot Stout 13-6 in the period and pulled Lewan from the net for a man up opportunity in the closing minutes.
Falcon goalie Scott Lewan (Westland, MI, Alberni Valley, BCHL) made 29 saves and Lescovich stopped 33 shots. Lewan is now 8-10-2 this season.
With the loss, the Falcons are now 11-13-2 on the season. Stout is now 16-10.
Box Score
