Box Score Box Score

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The St. Scholastica Saints and Wis.-Superior Yellowjackets proved once again why they have the best rivalry in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association, battling for the full 60 minutes in Superior's Wessman Arena Friday night. Unfortunately for the Saints, this one tipped in favor of their border rival as Wis.-Superior edged St. Scholastica by a 4-3 final to close the NCHA regular season. 

It was evident after the first frame that this would be the hockey equivalent of a pitcher's duel, as both St. Scholastica goaltender #Steve Bounds# (Sr.-Airdrie, Alta.) and Wis.-Superior's Chad Beiswinger gave up a goal early, but then shut the door throughout the rest of the first, despite being peppered with shots on both ends. Bounds finished the period with 11 saves while Beiswinger had six. #Jordan Chong# (Jr.-North Vancouver, B.C.) opened up the scoring for the Saints, netting his 12th score of the season with assists going to #Matt Stengl# (East Grand Forks, Minn.) and #Trevor Geiger# (Sr.-Salmon Arm, B.C.). 

The Saints played one of their least conservative periods of the year in the second, taking minor penalties resulting in four power plays, including a pair of five-on-three opportunities for the 'Jackets. Their first penalty came just 30 seconds into the period, and after a successful penalty kill, Trevor Geiger (Salmon Arm, British Columbia/Salmon Arm (BCHL)) returned from the box and scored a goal off the rebound. (17:18) #Joey Hughes# (Springvale South, Australia) had the assist. 

The opportunities for Superior became too numerous and eventually they made good with their second powerplay goal of the night, this time during a five-on-three opportunity with just 40 seconds remaining in the period. Once again, the two teams went into their locker rooms knotted up, this time at two apiece. 

The Yellowjackets scored first in the third, but the Saints were able to tie it up thanks to the #AJ Tucker#'s (Sr.-Fort Frances, Ont.) eighth career goal against the Yellowjackets, assisted by #Rob Rodgers# (Jr.-Salmon Arm, B.C.). The score remained at a deadlock until about the midway point of the period when the Jackets again jumped out in front. 

The narrow lead held, and the Saints were forced to pull Bounds for the last 1:40 of the game. With the sold out crowd on their feet, the Saints had one last chance to try and secure a second-place NCHA finish, but Chad Beiswinger held them back, making several key saves. Bounds finished with 31 saves on the night, while Beiswinger stopped 30 of the Saints 33 shots on target. 

The Saints, who finish the regular season at 18-5-2 (9-4-1/3rd place NCHA) will play host for their first round series in the NCHA tournament next week against either Wis.-River Falls or Wis.-Eau Claire. The puck drops for the opening faceoff at 7:05 p.m. Friday night, and all of the action can be heard on ESPN Radio 560–WEBC.