Box Score

RIVER FALLS, Wis. (uwrfsports.com)-The UW-River Falls Women's Hockey team hosted the Adrian Bulldogs on Tuesday night at Hunt Arena in a battle of two of the top 10 teams in the nation.  The Falcons got a goal from Dani Kocina in the second period, but it wasn't enough as the Falcons fell to the Bulldogs 2-1. 
 
The first period began with both teams playing very good defensive hockey, for the first 3 minutes of the game neither team sustained any pressure in their offensive end.  The game changed at the 3:36 mark when the Falcons' Carly Moran was called for holding.
 
The Bulldogs went on the first power play of the game, but the Falcon defense was up to the challenge.  The Falcons blocked numerous shots on the power play only allowing 1 shot to get through to Angie Hall, who made the save easily. 
 
After the power play the Falcons sustained some pressure in the offensive end and got on the scoreboard when Dani Kocina put a rebound over the outstretched pad of the Bulldog goaltender.  Dani's goal was her second of the season and she was assited on the goal by Lydia Wagner.
 
The Falcons would get a great opportunity to go up two goals as the Bulldogs were called for checking at the 8:08 mark of the period.  The Falcons would pressure and generate a few scoring chances on the power play, but were unable to push their lead to 2.
 
The Falcons would get another opportunity on the power play at the 14:57 mark of the period when Audrey Noles was called for hooking.  The Falcons would pressure early in the power play forcing the Bulldogs to take another penalty at the 16:12 mark, which gave the Falcons a short 5 on 3 power play.  The Falcons just missed on a couple of great scoring opportunities on the power play. 
 
The Falcons would end up having to kill a penalty of their own off late in the period as Chloe Kinsel was called for hooking at the 17:33 mark of the period.  The Falcon penalty killers were again up to the challenge as Angie Hall made a few big saves to keep the Falcons up 1-0.  The First period ended with the Falcons out shooting the Bulldogs 14-8.
 
The intensity and physicality would pick up in the second period with both teams being called for 3 penalties.  The Falcons would go on the first power play of the period at the 2:28 mark of the period when Kristi Zink was called for a cross check.  The Falcons would generate a couple of great chances on the power play, but were unable to push their lead to 2. 
 
After the power play, there was end to end action with both teams creating quality scoring chances but neither team could get on into the back of the net.  The Falcons would get another chance on the power play at the 12:29 mark of the period when Adrian would be called for hooking.  The Falcons once again pressured on the ensuing power play, but were unable to beat the Bulldog netminder.  The Falcon power play would be cut short when at the 16:17 mark Ashley Effertz was called for checking from behind, which led to 4 on 4 hockey.
 
The Bulldogs would take advantage of the open ice, and tie the game at the 14:22 mark when Sydney Smith took a shot from the point and found the back of the net.  The game would not stay tied long, the Bulldogs would go on a quick power play after the 4 on 4 and take advantage of the power play to go up 2-1 when Kristin Lewicki found the back of the net from the slot. 
 
The Bulldogs would look to add to their lead only 15 seconds after their second goal when the Falcons' Izzy Brosseau was called for interference.  The Falcon defense was up to the challenge and kept the Falcons down only 1 goal.  The second period ended with the Falcons down 2-1.  The Falcons held the overall edge with 23 shots on goal to the Bulldogs 21.
 
The Falcons were tested early in the third period when Amy Auran was called for checking just 56 seconds in.  The Falcon defense and goaltender Angie Hall, stood tall and kept the Falcons down just 1 goal.
 
After the power play the Falcons went on an abbreviated power play when the Bulldogs were called for checking at the 1:36 mark of the period.  On the 1:20 power play, the Falcons managed to sustain some pressure and get some good quality shots on net, but could not tie the game.
 
After the power play, the Falcons took control of the game, holding onto the puck and keeping Adrian pinned in their own end for several minutes, forcing the Bulldogs to use their timeout half way through the period.They generated plenty of scoring chances and looked prime to tie the game when at the 12:58 mark of the period Carina Randazzo was called for checking. 
 
The Falcons made short work of the Adrian power play, not allowing a single shot to get near their net, blocking most of them before then even got close. 
 
After the Falcons killed off the penalty, they once again took control.  The Falcons dominated the last half of the third period, firing shots on the Bulldog goaltender.  The Falcons pulled their goaltender for the last minute of the game but could not tie the game as the Falcons lost 2-1.  The tremendous third period from the Falcons led to them out shooting the Bulldogs 8-1 in the period and 31-21 overall. 
 
The Falcons drop to 16-5-1 on the season and Adrian ups their record to 20-2-1.
 
The Falcons are back in action at Hunt Arena on Saturday Feb. 13^th, when they host UW-Eau Claire.  Puck drop is set for 2:05pm.