Notables
-CSS improves to 5-0-2 in its last seven openers.
-Steeves has made 70 saves in the last two games vs. Northland
-Shots: NC-36, CSS-27
ASHLAND, Wis. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's hockey team allowed a goal in the opening 10 seconds of the season, but responded with two goals in the second period and then broke a 2-2 tie in the third to defeat Northland College 3-2 Friday night in a Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) matchup.
The Action
It was an inauspicious start for the Saints as the first shot of game by either team resulted on a LumberJack goal just 10 seconds into the contest. That would be the lone goal of the opening period as the Saints failed to convert on three power-play opportunities.
CSS would go on the power-play less than two minutes into the second period and would capitalize this time as freshman
Jordan Fralich (Duluth, Minn./Duluth Marshall School (Bismarck-NAHL)) registered his first collegiate goal to even the game at 1-1.
Cole Golka (Ardrossan, Alberta/Athol Murray College of Notre Dame (Dryden Ice Dogs-SIJHL)) and
Kyle Star (Langley, British, Columbia/Brookswood (Trail Smoke-BCHL)) were credited with the assists.
Later in the second period, with both teams one skater down, St. Scholastica took the lead on
Dustin Cordeiro (Kitchener, Ontario/Elliot Lake Secondary School (Cochrane-NOJHL))'s first collegiate goal with 3:30 on the clock to make it 2-1. Fralich and Star had the assists. The Saints led 2-1 at the second intermission, despite being out-shot 16-8 in the period.
The LumberJacks tied it at 2-2 five minutes into the third period on a Kalib Ford goal. However, the Saints answered about two minutes later, once again on the power-play, as
Nolan Ross (Fort Frances, Ontario/Fort Frances HS (Fort Frances-SIJHL)) found the net to make it 3-2.
Kristofer McKinzie (Duluth, Minn./Duluth Marshall School (Minnesota Magicians-NAHL)) and
Parker Mismash (Edina, Minn./Edina HS (Minnesota Magicians-NAHL)) had the assists.
The score held from there as the Saints prevailed 3-2.
Goaltending
Despite allowing a goal on the first shot he saw, sophomore goaltender
Zane Steeves (Red Deer, Alberta/Athol Murray College of Notre Dame (100 Mile Wranglers-KIJHL)) played well making 34 saves to earn the victory. AJ Smith had 24 saves in the loss for the LumberJacks.
Up Next
The Saints and LumberJacks will do battle again tomorrow night, but it will be in Duluth at Mars Lakeview Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
