DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The No. 15 St. Scholastica men's hockey team will meet the newest member of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) when Aurora University (Ill.) makes its first-ever trip to Duluth for a two-game series this weekend.
Where:Mars Lakeview Arena – Duluth, Minn.
When:Friday at 7 p.m. (Military Appreciation Night)
Saturday at 5 p.m.
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www.facebook.com/css.saints St. Scholastica SaintsStatsRecord: 11-4-2, 9-3-0 NCHANorthern Collegiate Hockey Association: Standings | Stats Last Action: The Saints swept Lawrence University (Wis.) last weekend by scores of 6-2 and 3-1 … The Saints never trailed in either game and recorded over 40 shots on goal in Friday night's win … The St. Scholastica penalty-kill held Lawrence to 0-for-8 on the power-play for the weekend … The Saints are now 4-0-1 on the road in the second half.
Great Week for Nowakowski: In three games last week, senior
Dylan Nowakowski (Calgary, Alberta/Centennial HS (Brooks-AJHL) ) recorded three goals and three assists … In Tuesday's tie against UW-Stout, Nowakowski assisted all three of St. Scholastica's goals and, in doing so, became the 17th Saint in program history to record at least 100 points in a career … Then against Lawrence, Nowakowski added two goals on Friday night and then the game-winner on Saturday … He is currently tied for second in the NCHA with 25 points.
Bruggeman Ties Program Record: Senior goaltender earned both wins in goal for the Saints over the weekend and, in doing so, tied the program record with 35 career victories … He is tied with Steve Bounds (2005-09) and Cory Goddard (1982-86) … Bruggeman saw his save percentage climb from .912 to .920 last week.
Where They Stand: The Saints are back within two points of North Division leading St. Norbert College (Wis.) after the Green Knights split with Adrian College (Mich.) over the weekend … The Milwaukee School of Engineering sits four points back of the Saints in third … Both CSS and MSOE have to play St. Norbert remaining on their schedules.
Another 10-Win Season: The Saints achieved 10 wins for the 10
th time in the last 12 seasons under head coach
Mark Wick … Prior to Wick's arrival, CSS had only one 10-win season from 1986-2004.
D3Hockey.com Team of the Week: The Saints have had two players named to the D3hockey.com Team of the Week this season …
Brandon Millin (Port Moody, British Columbia/Heritage Woods HS (Notre Dame Hounds-SJHL) ) earned First Team honors the week of November 16 and
Tyler Bruggeman (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West HS (Austin-NAHL) ) earned second team honors the week of November 23.
Special Team Success: The Saints have the best power-play unit in the conference and seventh nationally with a success rate if 26.0 percent … Combining the power-play and penalty-kill units, the Saints are plus-13, which leads the NCHA.
Point Streak Continues: Keegan Bruce (Bellingham, Wash./Bellingham HS (Weyburn-SJHL) ) has recorded at least one point in eight straight games … Bruce leads the league with 0.67 power-play points per game and is tied for the conference lead with five power-play goals.
Finishing Strong: The Saints have out-scored teams 24-10 in the third period this season … CSS has won two games this season when it has trailed at the second intermission … When that has happened the previous three seasons the Saints had a record of 1-26-4.
Game 100: Seniors
Dylan Nowakowski (Calgary, Alberta/Centennial HS (Brooks-AJHL) ) and
Justin Krabben (Rocky Mountain House, Alberta/Hunting Hills HS (Canmore-AJHL) ) will be playing in their 100
th career game on Friday.
Upcoming Opponents Aurora SpartansRecord: 1-15-1, 1-11-2 NCHA The Spartans are in their first year in the NCHA and just their second year in the NCAA … Aurora's lone win this season came at Finlandia University (Mich.) on November 7 … Since then, the Spartans are 0-13-1 … Last weekend they fell to Northland College at home 4-0 and 4-3 … Aurora has been out-scored 100-33 this season … Sophomore forward Trevor Hoth leads the team with 10 assists and 14 points … Sophomore Tim Santopoalo has a team-high five goals … Junior goaltender Jared Rutledge has 563 saves thus far this year … The Spartans have allowed the first goal in 14 of 17 games this season.
Series History: CSS leads 1-0-0
Last Meeting: The Saints faced Aurora last season for the first time in Illinois and won 6-3 … Nowakowski had two goals and an assist in the victory.
Looking Ahead: The Saints will their final road games of the regular season when they face Concordia University (Wis.) for two-game series in Mequon, Wisconsin on February 5 and 6.
