Falcons junior goaltender Tanner Milliron and the fifth nationally UW-River Falls men's hockey team won its ninth straight game to open the 2014-2015 season with a 1-0 shutout win over host UW-Superior.

Milliron, who is 9-0 this season and unbeaten since Jan. 24, 2014, made 37 saves against the Yellowjackets. The shutout was Milliron's second of the season and third of his career.

The first period ended in a scoreless tie with the Yellowjackets outshooting UWRF 12-5. Sophomore Mike Fazio had two of the five Falcon shots in the period. UWRF ended the first period on the game's first power play, but the Falcons were unable to capitalize. Milliron was the difference in the period. Yellowjackets sophomore goaltender Cory Simons (3-2) was not busy but made all five required saves.

Falcons sophomore forward Ryan Doner opened the scoring exactly 11 minutes into the second period with a power play tally. Doner's team-leading fifth goal was assisted by sophomore forward Mitch Kontny and sophomore foward Mike Dietrich. Kontny's assist gives him five, while Dietrich upped his career total to four.

Superior outshot UWRF 14-9 in the second period despite four Falcon power plays. UWRF went 1-4 with the extra man in the second, while the Yellowjackets went 0-1. Milliron, who has not lost a game since Jan. 24 against UW-Eau Claire, was terrific in the second period.

The third period was also scoreless. Shots on goal in the third were 11-11; final shots on goal were 37-25 in favor of the Yellowjackets. Fazio and sophomore forward Danny Hamburg led the Falcons with four shots on goal each. UWRF finished the game 1-5 on the power play, while Superior went 0-1.

UWRF improves to 9-0 overall, 5-0 on the road, and 2-0 in the WIAC. Superior falls to 5-5 overall, 4-3 at home, and 0-1 in the WIAC. The loss ends Superior's three-game winning streak. UWRF is now 68-59-12 all-time against Superior.

The Falcons host the Saint John's University Johnnies at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, to start a four-game home stretch.

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