Notables
-The Saints still have not trailed in-game this season
-First collegiate multi-goal game for Pionk
-CSS is 6-0-1 in last seven games
-Saints have out-scored teams 10-1 in the first period
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's hockey team squandered a two-goal lead in the third period, but
Mike Nolan (Aldergrove, British Columbia/Yale Secondary (Fresno-WSHL)) scored with less than four minutes remaining to give the Saints the 3-2 victory over Trine University (Ind.) Saturday at Mars Lakeview Arena.
The Scoring
The Saints opened the scoring eight minutes into the game, after
Nate Pionk (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown HS (Minot-NAHL)) put home a rebound for his third of the season.
Cole Golka (Ardrossan, Alberta/Athol Murray College of Notre Dame (Dryden Ice Dogs-SIJHL)) and
Davis Ross (Fort Frances, Ontario/Fort Frances HS (Fort Frances-SIJHL)) had the assists.
With 5:11 to go in the period, Pionk extended CSS' lead to two, this time assisted by
Jon Hansen (Twig, Minn./Duluth Marshall (Minnesota Mullets-USPHL)) and Ross. Both of those first period goals came on the power-play. Shots on goal at the end of the period were 16-9 in favor of CSS.
After a scoreless second period, the third period would see three goals. Trine would finally get on the board with 13:32 to go in the game, reducing the Saints' lead to one goal with a power-play tally. Then with six minutes left, the Thunder tied the game at 2-2.
But with 4:03 left on the clock, the Saints regained the lead after
Mike Nolan (Aldergrove, British Columbia/Yale Secondary (Fresno-WSHL)) got behind the defense and scored to make it 3-2 in favor of CSS.
Jon Hansen (Twig, Minn./Duluth Marshall (Minnesota Mullets-USPHL)) and
Dustin Cordeiro (Kitchener, Ontario/Elliot Lake Secondary School (Cochrane-NOJHL)) were credited with the assist.
The Saints gave up a penalty with just under two minutes left in the game and the Thunder pulled the goaltender with a minute remaining, but
Nick Trenciansky (Vancouver, British Columbia/Holy Cross Regional HS (Kindersley-SJHL)) saved four shots by Trine to secure the win.
Top Performances for CSS
Pionk led the Saints in scoring with two goals. Ross and Hansen each had two assists. Trenciansky stopped 37 of the 39 shots he faced in net for the Saints.
Top Performances for the Opponent
Garrett Hallford and Blake Robertson scored the goals for Trine.
Brett Young made 26 saves in net for the Thunder.
Up Next
The Saints (6-1-1, 4-1-1 NCHA) travel to St. Peter on Friday for a non-conference matchup against Gustavus Adolphus College. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m.
