Box Score Box Score

DULUTH, Minn. –The St. Scholastica Saints men's hockey team is halfway to the NCHA Peter's Cup Semifinals after a 2-0 first round game-one victory against the Wis.-River Falls Falcons at Mars Lakeview Arena on Friday night. 

After a scoreless first, #Aaron Spotts# (Jr.-Spokane, Wash.) netted his seventh goal of the season at the 2:51 mark of the second with an assist from #Matt Saler# (Sr.-Minnedosa, Man.). It proved to be the game-winner as the strong Saints defense shut out their conference foe. 

Goaltender #Steve Bounds# (Sr.-Airdrie, Alta.) made several key saves for the Saints, although his defense stood strong and held the Falcons to just 25 shots on net. Bounds stopped them all and extended his program season record for shutouts with his fifth of the year. 

With the Falcons attempting to claw their way back in the third, #Joey Martini# (Sr.-Calgary, Alta.) stopped the rally before it began by scoring his 15th goal of the season. #Jeremy Dawes# (Fr.-Winnipeg, Man.) served Martini a crisp pass from behind the net to beat River Falls goaltender Stephen Ritter. Defenseman #Rob Rodgers# (Jr.-Salmon Arm, B.C.) also received an assist on the score. 

The Saints defense held River Falls to a 0-for-5 night on the power play while the offense rallied for 39 shots on target in the tournament opener.
 
The Saints squad, now 19-5-2 on the season, has tied their third-best program record for wins in a season. St. Scholastica will face River Falls, now 10-14-2 this year, one last time tomorrow with a victory or a tie resulting in the Saints moving on to the semifinals against an opponent to be determined. The puck will drop at 7:05 p.m., and all of the action can be heard on ESPN Radio 560–WEBC.