Adam Cardwell (Long Beach, CA, Wichita Falls, NAHL) had a goal and an assist and Justin Brossman (Littleton, CO, Sioux City, USHL) scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the Falcons topped St. Norbert College 4-3 on Friday night. The victory marks the end of a 20 game losing streak at St. Norbert and also their first ever win at Cornerstone Community Center.
The Falcons last victory at St. Norbert came in a 2-1 OT thriller in the 1997-1998 season.
Scott Lewan (Westland, MI, Alberni Valley, BCHL) was in net looking to rebound from his rough outing last Saturday against St. Scholastica when the Falcons lost 7-1. David Jacobson took the crease for the Green Knights.
The Falcons would score the games first and only goal of the first period at 10:17 when Willie Hess (Lino Lakes, MN, Fresno, NAHL) recorded his eight of the season on the power play. Adam Cardwell and George Malliaras (Palos Hills, IL, Texas, NAHL) were credited with assists.
The Green Knights answered early in the second period when Cody Keefer lit the lamp on the power play at 2:17 to tie the game at 1-1. Seth Soley and Johan Ryd assisted on the goal.
Cardwell would net a goal of his own just over four minutes later at 6:48 to give the Falcons a 2-1 lead. The goal was his sixth of the year and Geoff Shewmake (Chicago, IL, Bradford, GMHL) and Alec Hagaman (Peoria, IL, Topeka, NAHL) recorded assists.
The Green Knights tied the game at 2-2 just 2:15 into the third period when Reid Campbell beat Lewan.
St. Norbert would take their first lead of the game at 12:45 on Joe Perry's fourth goal of the season. The goal gave the Green Knights a 3-2 lead with just over seven minutes to play in the third period.
"We played so well during the game and then they scored a goal right off a face off to take a 3-2 lead in the third. That was a real heartbreaker," said Falcon Coach Steve Freeman.
With less than one minute to play Lewan skated to the bench and the Falcons fought to tie it up as they searched for their first win at St. Norbert since the 97-98 season.
The Falcons final push proved successful as Jeff Burke (New Richmond, WI, Topeka, NAHL) netted the game-tying goal with just 23 seconds on the third period clock. The goal was Burke's third and forced overtime and a chance for the Falcons to claim victory.
Overtime began with a handful of penalties being given out to both teams and the Falcons having to kill off a two minute Green Knight power play.
The Falcons killed the penalty off successfully and also sealed the overtime victory when Brossman scored the game winner at 2:59 to cap off a 4-3 victory. Yuel and Jon Schreiner (Lakeville, MN, Fairbanks, NAHL) assisted the goal.
"We were able to get our goalie out at the end and got the big game-tying goal with just 23 seconds left," said Freeman. "Then early in the overtime we had some great chances. There were some penalties called after a scrum in front of their goal and St. Norbert ended up on the power play. But we were able to kill it off and that gave us a big lift."
"The game winner came on a 2-on-1. Yuel made a great cross ice pass to Brossman who one-timed it home."
St. Norbert outshot UWRF 7-8 in the first period, 11-9 in the second period, and 11-9 in the third. The Falcons outshot the Green Knights 5-1 in overtime, but St. Norbert took the overall tally 31-30.
Lewan recorded 28 saves and locked up his 13th win of the season. Jacobson saved 26 for St. Norbert and losses for just the second time this season.
UWRF moves to 13-5-2 overall and 7-4-2 in NCHA play. St. Norbert falls to 11-5-4 overall and 8-4-1 in the NCHA.
The Falcons will now travel to Steven's Point to take on the Pointers on Saturday, January, 28th at 7 p.m. in another very important NCHA matchup.
"We had a tremendous effort tonight – it was a very intense game and I'm very proud of our effort. We help it together and we deserved the win. These were huge points in the NCHA standings and tomorrow's game at Stevens Point is big also”
St. Norbert remains atop the NCHA with 17 points. UWRF and St. Scholastica are in a tie for second with 16 points each and UW-Steven's Point is in fourth with 13 points.
Box Score
