Notables
-CSS' second-ever win over a #1 ranked team (both SNC)
-Saints extend unbeaten streak to 11 games, 10 straight wins
-First collegiate multi-goal game for Mismash
-Star has scored at least one point in last eight games
-Third game in a row with at least one point for D. Ross
DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) - The St. Scholastica men's hockey team kept up the hot streak Saturday evening with a big 4-3 win over No. 1 St. Norbert College (Wis.) at Mars Lakeview Arena. This is the Saints' first victory over the Green Knights in the last seven meetings, and the first home win against SNC since 2010.
The Action
Cole Golka (Ardrossan, Alberta/Athol Murray College of Notre Dame (Dryden Ice Dogs-SIJHL)) got the first point on the board, after just six minutes had passed in the game. Kyle Star (Langley, British, Columbia/Brookswood (Trail Smoke-BCHL)) and Davis Ross (Fort Frances, Ontario/Fort Frances HS (Fort Frances-SIJHL)) assisted on the play. It was second shot of the game for the Saints. The goal came shortly after the Saints killed off a penalty. Just over a minute and a half after the Golka goal, Kyle Star (Langley, British, Columbia/Brookswood (Trail Smoke-BCHL)) put one past the goaltender, assisted by Nate Pionk (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown HS (Minot-NAHL)) and Golka, to make the score 2-0 in the opening eight minutes of the game.
It remained 2-0 Saints until midway through the second period when the Green Knights got themselves back in it with a goal from Peter Bates. Each team had a power play chance in the second, but neither side would make use of the extra man.
The third period saw four goals, two from each side. The first two came from Parker Mismash (Edina, Minn./Edina HS (Minnesota Magicians-NAHL)) for the Saints. The first happened just four minutes into the period, with the assist going to Mark Whiteley (Surrey, British Columbia/Holy Cross HS (Marian University)) to make the score 3-1. Mismash then cushioned the lead with another goal four and a half minutes later on the power play, this time assisted by D. Ross.
CSS looked to be in control until the Green Knights took advantage of a Saints turnover and Bates hit his second of the game with less than seven minutes remaining. St. Norbert added another goal with 1:38 remaining to make it a one-goal game. St. Norbert pulled the goaltender moments after the goal and with 12 seconds left, the Saints were called for hooking and put a man in the box. Kale Derkson (Regina, Saskatchewan/Sheldon Williams Collegiate/Athol Murray College of Notre Dame (Notre Dame-SJHL)) then won a key face-off following the penalty and the Green Knights would only get one shot attempt in the waning seconds, but it was blocked and the Saints came away with the 4-3 victory.
Goaltending
Forbes Ploszaj (Gilbert, Arizona/Gilbert HS (Aberdeen-NAHL)) took the win between the pipes for the Saints, making 27 saves on 30 shots faced. T.J. Black was in net for St. Norbert, making 17 saves on 21 shots.
Up Next
On Friday, the Saints (13-5-1, 7-4-1 NCHA) look to continue their streak when they head to Appleton, Wisconsin to take on Lawrence University. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
