RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The UW-River Falls men's hockey team opened a weekend WIAC series against UW-Superior Friday evening with a 5-3 win over the Yellowjackets at Hunt Arena.
UWRF had goals from five different players and used a key power play goal by Dylan Smith for the game-winner to snap UW-Superior's six-game winning streak. With the win, the Falcons' overall record improved to 9-8-1 and 3-5 in the WIAC.
Outside of Smith's game-winner, Tyler Waram scored his first as a Falcon, Reid Lune scored his first of the season, and Ben Portner and Gavid Middendorf also found the back of the net.
The Yellowjackets and Falcons both scored on their first shot attempts of the game. UWS struck first just over a minute into the game, but the Falcons responded quickly as Waram evened the score at 2:05, releasing a shot from the point that bounced through traffic and past UWS netminder Jack Boschert. UWRF took control later in the period with goals from Lune and Portner to carry a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.
UWS cut into the lead early in the second period with a power play goal, but Smith answered at 6:12 with a power play tally that restored a two-goal cushion. Middendorf added an even-strength goal later in the period to give UWRF a 5-2 advantage heading into the third.
UW-Superior scored early in the final period and made a strong push to comeback, outshooting the Falcons 21-7 in the frame, but Brennan Boynton and the Falcon defense held first to secure the victory.
Boynton earned the win in net, stopping 32 shots. UWRF finished with a 39-35 edge in shots and won 34 of 61 faceoffs. Jonny Meiers had three assists, followed by a pair from Zach Sondreal.
The Falcons and Yellowjackets play again tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. inside Hunt Arena to wrap up their conference regular season series.
