DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) – For the sixth time in the last nine years and for the last time the St. Scholastica men's hockey team will face Bridge Rival University of Wisconsin-Superior in the quarterfinals of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) Peters Cup. For just the second time during that span the series will be played at Mars Lakeview Arena.
Game Schedule: (Game Day Media)
Friday vs. UW-Superior – 7 p.m.
(Live Video on Saints Sports Net | Live Stats)
Saturday vs. UW-Superior – 7 p.m.
(Live Video on Saints Sports Net | Live Stats)
Tickets
No Advance Sales
$8 - Adults
$4 - Student
Free-CSS Students with ID
Peters Cup Quarterfinal Format
Two games, plus a mini-game (if necessary) – If neither team earns three points after the two games, then a 20-minute mini-game will be played immediately following game two Saturday night.
About the Saints
Record: 11-13-1, 7-10-1 NCHA
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Even though the Saints fell in their regular season finale to UW-River Falls, they still enter the Peters Cup playoffs on a roll with a record of 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.
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During that span, the Saints defeated 15th-ranked UW-Stevens Point, four-ranked St. Norbert, #14-ranked UW-Stevens Point again and conference champion and fourth-ranked UW-Eau Claire.
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The CSS offense has been pivotal in the last 10 games, averaging 4.4 goals per game. In the eight games prior, the Saints were averaging 2.1 goals per game.
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Senior Brett Corcoran (Parksville, British Columbia/Ballenas Secondary (Trail Smoke-BCHL) ) has turned it on as of late, recording at least one point in each of the last six games, including a goal in the last three games.
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Brandon Nowakowski (Calgary, Alberta/Central Memorial HS (Calgary Royals-AJHL)) has seven points in the last three games and his brother Dylan Nowakowski (Calgary, Alberta/Centennial HS (Brooks-AJHL) ) has recorded two points in each of the last three games.
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B. Nowakowski is tied for second in NCAA Division III with five game-winning goals and seventh with seven power-play goals.
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Senior Tyler Miller (Fort Frances, Ontario/Rainy River HS (Thunder Bay-SIJHL) ) has also stepped up his game at the end of the season, registering 10 points in the last six games. Miller tied for third in the league with 16 assists.
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CSS has been a fast starting team this season, outscoring opponents 34-26 in the first period.
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When the Saints after the first period this they are 9-1-1. Then trailing they are 0-8-0.
About the Yellowjackets
Record: 11-12-2, 6-10-2 NCHA
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Unlike the Saints, UW-Superior enters the Peters Cup playoffs with a record of 1-9-1 in its last 11 games. However, that one win came against the Saints at Mars Lakeview Arena on Jan. 24.
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UWS is averaging just 1.5 goals per game during that stretch.
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The Yellowjackets rank last in the NCHA, averaging 2.6 goals per game.
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The 'jackets are led by a pair of juniors in Pat Dalbec and Joey Massingham.
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Dalbec leads the team with 15 goals and 27 points, while Massingham has 10 goals and a team-high 13 assists.
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Dalbec is tied for third in the nation with eight power-play goals on the year.
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Much like the Saints, UWS is 7-2-1 when leading after the first period, but are 0-8-0 when trailing.
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Drew Strandberg has seen the most action in net for the Yellowjackets, however he has yet to face the Saints this year.
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Strandberg has a 2.87 goals-against-average and a .866 saves percentage.
Series History: (CSS is 36-84-9 vs. UW-Superior)
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The 'jackets took the season series 2-1, including winning the only game at Mars this season.
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In the last six games of the series played at Mars, UWS has a record of 3-0-3.
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UWS and CSS last met in the Peters Cup playoffs in 2011 at Wessman Arena, which ended in a Superior sweep.
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The last time the teams met in the Peters Cup at Mars ended in a pair of ties and a mini-game time. The Saints won in sudden death overtime of the mini-game on a Jeremy Dawes (Winnipeg, Manitoba/College Jeanne Suave (Portage-MJHL) ) goal.
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Both times the Saints have defeated the Yellowjackets in the Peters Cup have come by way of the mini-game.
