St. Cloud, MN. (uwrfsports.com) - The UW-River Falls men's hockey team opened up the new year by traveling to St. Cloud, Minnesota to take on St. John's Thursday night. Senior forward Danny Hamburg scored his first goal of the season half way through the third period to give the Falcons a 2-1 victory, pushing their winning streak to 4 games.

THE RUNDOWN
Final Score: UWRF 2, St. John's 1.
Location: Herb Brooks National Hockey Center - St. Cloud, MN
Records: UW-River Falls (6-8-1, 0-2 WIAC), St. John's (7-5-2, 3-2-1, MIAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Falcons came out firing in the first period, tallying 14 shots on goal to the Johnnies 6, but neither team was able to score as the game headed to the second period still tied 0-0.
• Mike Dietrich was called for slashing just 44 seconds into the second period to give the Johnnies an early power play opportunity. The Falcon penalty killers would not allow a shot to reach the net during the power play as the game stayed tied at 0.
• St. John's would score the game's first goal at the 12:11 mark of the period when Matt Perry found the back of the net.
• Shortly after the Johnnies scored Mike Fazio was called for holding and sent the Falcons back on the penalty kill. The Falcons would kill off the Fazio penalty and draw a penalty on St. John's giving UWRF a power play of their own.
• The Falcons were unable to tie the game up on the power play, but shortly after Kyle Gattelaro found the puck after a scramble in front of the Johnnie net and beat the goaltender to tie the game up at 1 with just over 3 minutes to play in the second period.  The goal was Gattelaro's 2nd of the season and he was assisted on the goal by Ryan Doner and Christian George.
• The second period ended with game tied up at 1.
• The third period was played at a very fast pace with exciting end to end action throughout. The Falcons pressure on the forecheck allowed them to keep the pressure on the Johnnies in their own end for most of the period.
• At the 12:40 mark of the period the sustained pressure finally paid off when Danny Hamburg made a great effort play when he chased down the Johnnie defenseman in his own end and stole the puck right out in front of the Johnnie net. Hamburg roofed a shot past the goaltender to put the Falcons up 2-1. The goal was Hamburg's first of the season.
• St. John's would pull their goalie with just over a 1:40 left in the period for the extra attacker. The Falcon defense was up to the challenge blocking many shot attempts from the Johnnies in the final minutes of the period.
• Zach Quinn was strong in net for the Falcons in the last 1:40 as well securing the 2-1 victory.
• There were only 4 penalties called in the game 2 on each team with neither team scoring on the power play.
• The Falcons out shot the Johnnies 31-22 on the evening.
• Zach Quinn made 21 saves in net to get the victory for the Falcons.

THE OPPOSITION  

• Tyler Nelson made 29 saves in net for the Johnnies.
• Brady Heppner lead the Johnnies with 5 shots on goal and Matt Perry scored the lone goal for the Johnnies.
• Garret Riebling won 7 of 10 faceoffs he took.

LOOK AHEAD

• The Falcons will take on another MIAC opponent on Saturday January 7, when they travel to Moorhead, MN to play Concordia College. Puck drop is set for 2pm.
• The Falcons will return home next weekend Jan. 13th and 14th to take on Bethel and Gustavus at Hunt Arena.