Box Score

RIVER FALLS, Wis. (uwrfsports.com)- The UW-River Falls men's hockey team (8-4-2, 2-0 WIAC) has not played a game since Dec. 12, so the Falcons' were well-rested for their matchup against the Marian University Sabres. The Falcons were not rusty as they defeated the Sabres 3-2 in a very physical game.
 
The host Falcons jumped out to an early lead on a goal from freshman forward Eddie Matsushima. Matsushima's goal was his third of the season. It was not just offense that powered the Falcons to an early lead. UWRF's suffocating defense only allowed six shots on goal, and senior goaltender Tanner Milliron stopped all six of those shots.
 
Later on in the first period, the Falcons doubled-up their lead on a goal from freshman forward Joe Drapluk. Drapluk's goal was his fifth goal of the season.
 
Both of the Falcons' goals came on full strength. The Falcons did not have any power play opportunities while the Sabres had one power play opportunity late in the period on a hooking penalty from Ryan Doner.
 
After the first period concluded, the Falcons saw themselves on the positive side of a 2-0 score, and they outshot the Sabres 11-6 in the opening period. The goal-scorers in the first period were Eddie Matsushima and Joe Drapluk.
 
Early in the second period, the Sabres trimmed the Falcons' lead in half on a goal that resulted from some big hits and physical play. That goal was the extent of the scoring in the second period, but each team had plenty of opportunities. The Falcons still led the shots on goal category 19-11.
 
Each team had a power play opportunity, but neither team cashed in on the shorthanded opportunity.
 
Things heated up in the third period. The Falcons extended their lead to 3-1 almost eight minutes into the third period on a power play goal by the Falcons' leading goal scorer Kyle Gattelaro. Gattelaro's goal was his sixth goal of the year, and Alex Murphy and Jeff Bergh assisted the goal.
 
Marian would not go away quietly. With almost three minutes left in regulation, and on a power play from a high-sticking penalty on Michael Lant, the Sabres cut the Falcons' lead in half to make the score 2-3.
 
The Falcons held off the Sabres and captured their first victory of the 2016 calendar year. UWRF outshot Marian 24-20 and won six more face offs than the Sabres. Tanner Milliron stopped 18 of the 20 shots he faced.


The Falcons are now 8-4-2 and 2-0 in WIAC play and they are back in action on Friday, Jan. 8, when the Falcons host the Johnnies from St. Johns University. The puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m.