Notables-CSS Head Coach mark Wick returns to the bench for the Saints-UWRF out-shot CSS 35-22, including 8-3 in overtime.-CSS' Bruggeman finished with 32 saves-Both teams were a combined 0-for-7 on the power-play-River Falls ranked No. 9 in USCHO Division III poll.
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's hockey team trailed 2-0 with less than five minutes remaining and then 3-2 with less than a minute to play, but scored with the extra-attacker to earn a 3-3 tie against No. 9 University of Wisconsin-River Falls in the season opener Friday night at Mars Lakeview Arena.
End of the Third PeriodAfter a scoreless first period, the Falcons picked up a pair of goals in the second period and led 2-0 at the second intermission. The Falcons seemed to be in control of the game deep into the third period until freshman
Cole Golka (Ardrossan, Alberta/Athol Murray College of Notre Dame (Dryden Ice Dogs-SIJHL)) scored unassisted with 4:23 remaining to make it 2-1.
Only 42 seconds later
Hunter Bergerson (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS (Minot-NAHL) ) hit a slap shot that beat the River Falls goaltender to tie the contest at 2-2.
Brandon Millin (Port Moody, British Columbia/Heritage Woods HS (Notre Dame Hounds-SJHL) ) and
Derek Sutliffe (Las Vegas, Nev./Odyssey Charter School (Langley Rivermen-BCHL) ) had the assists.
The Falcons answered as Jeff Bergh scored an unassisted goal with 2:20 left in the regulation to put River Falls back up 3-2. CSS would pull
Tyler Bruggeman (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West HS (Austin-NAHL) ) from the net with 1:00 remaining. Just six seconds later
Dylan Nowakowski (Calgary, Alberta/Centennial HS (Brooks-AJHL) ) found the back of the net to tie the game at 3-3 and the game went to overtime.
Overtime Penalty ShotThe Falcons had chances early in overtime and then the Saints had flurry have chances on their end. However, out of that flurry came Kyle Gattelaro, who scored the first River Falls goal of the night, with the puck and was one-on-one with Bruggeman. Gattelaro would be tripped from behind on his way in and would be awarded a penalty shot with 1:08 left.
Gattelaro would take the penalty shot, but would be stoned by Bruggeman, who made one of his 32 saves on the night, to preserve the 3-3 tie.
This is the third tie in the last four meetings with the Falcons and all three have been by 3-3 scores. In all three instances a team has led by two or more goals in the third period.
Up NextThe Saints will host the University of Wisconsin-Stout at Mars Lakeview Arena at 4 p.m. tomorrow. The action can be seen live on Saints Sports Net.
