Notables:-CSS and Finlandia split the two-game series with one win apiece.-Luke Simpson (Canmore, Alberta/Athol Murray College of Notre Dame (Canmore-AJHL) ) scored the game-winning goal for the Saints with 1:15 remaining in the third period.-St. Scholastica scored two power play goals in three opportunities in the game.-Corey Koop (Squamish, British Columbia/Howe Sound Secondary (UW-Stout)) made 26 saves in the win for CSS.
HANCOCK, Mich. (csssaints.com) – St. Scholastica men's hockey (5-1, 5-1 NCHA) defeated Finlandia University (1-4, 1-3 NCHA) 3-2 on Sunday evening to split the two-game weekend series between the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) rivals at one game apiece.
The Saints got off to a good start in the first period and used an early power play opportunity, the result of a major penalty for checking from behind being issued to Finlandia, to take a 1-0 lead over the Lions.
Justin Krabben (Rocky Mountain House, Alberta/Hunting Hills HS (Canmore-AJHL) ) was the goal-scorer for CSS with his second power-play goal of the year at the 2:44 mark of the opening period on assists from
Dave Williams (Okotoks, Alberta/Athol Murray College of Notre Dame (Waywayseecappo-MJHL) ) and
Dylan Nowakowski (Calgary, Alberta/Centennial HS (Brooks-AJHL) ).
Despite the early adversity Finlandia would respond with a goal to tie the game before the end of the first period. Jesse Parker scored the goal for the Lions at 12:24 with Travis Armstrong and Thomas Clayton picking up the assists.
The Saints would once again use their power play to gain an advantage in the second period.
Brandon Millin (Port Moody, British Columbia/Heritage Woods HS (Notre Dame Hounds-SJHL) ) scored his first goal of the season half way through the middle period to give CSS a 2-1 lead.
Rich Coyne (Cave Creek, Ariz./Pinnacle HS (Alaska-Fairbanks) ) and
Dave Williams (Okotoks, Alberta/Athol Murray College of Notre Dame (Waywayseecappo-MJHL) ) contributed assists on the goal.
The third period would prove to be dramatic for St. Scholastica as the Lions were able to tie the score 2-2 with under three minutes remaining in regulation. Jesse Parker got his second goal of the game from Thomas Malkmus and Chuck Marcoe to draw Finlandia level.
The Saints, however, would deliver the final and crushing blow of the game at 18:45 of the third period.
Luke Simpson (Canmore, Alberta/Athol Murray College of Notre Dame (Canmore-AJHL) ) scored the game-winning goal for CSS with
Michael Spring (Kelowna, British Columbia/Okanagan Mission (Chilliwack-BCHL) ) assisting to make the final score 3-2.
Corey Koop (Squamish, British Columbia/Howe Sound Secondary (UW-Stout)) got the win in net for St. Scholastica with a 26 save performance. Andrew Brownlee made 30 saves for the Lions in a losing effort.
The next game for St. Scholastica will be on November 25
th when the Saints host St. John's University in a non-conference matchup at Mars Lakeview Arena. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.
