Notables:
-First OT win for CSS since December of 2015
-CSS clinches postseason berth with win
-Fifth time this season CSS has won when trailing after two periods
-Shots on goal: CSS - 44, FU - 24
HANCOCK, Mich. (csssaints.com) - Nate Pionk (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown HS (Minot-NAHL))'s power-play goal with 14 seconds remaining in overtime gave the St. Scholastica men's hockey team a 3-2 victory over Finlandia University (Mich.) Saturday night.
The Action
The Saints took the lead after just five minutes of the game had elapsed on a Mark Whiteley (Surrey, British Columbia/Holy Cross HS (Marian University)) goal. Parker Mismash (Edina, Minn./Edina HS (Minnesota Magicians-NAHL)) and Kyle Star (Langley, British, Columbia/Brookswood (Trail Smoke-BCHL)) assisted on the play. Finlandia (1-21-1, 0-15-1 NCHA) answered four minutes later with a goal coming from Danny Hill. Finlandia scored once more in the period, on a power play after a hooking penalty put a Saints skater in the box. This was the only penalty of the period. The second Finlandia goal brought the teams to the first intermission with a score of 2-1.
The second period saw three penalties, two from the Saints and one from the Lions, but neither team could score. The Saints tied things up early in the third thanks to Kristofer McKinzie (Duluth, Minn./Duluth Marshall School (Minnesota Magicians-NAHL)), who was assisted by Max Mettler (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West HS (Minot-NAHL)) and Seth Chumley (Cambridge, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret's (Minnesota Iron Rangers-SIJHL)) on the scoring play. The score stayed tied through the rest of the period despite it having two more power play opportunities for each team.
In overtime, a slashing penalty put Finlandia one man down, and the Saints took advantage. Nate Pionk (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown HS (Minot-NAHL)) scored off a rebound with only 14 seconds remaining to give the Saints the 3-2 victory. Davis Ross (Fort Frances, Ontario/Fort Frances HS (Fort Frances-SIJHL)) and Whiteley had the assists.
Goaltending
Forbes Ploszaj (Gilbert, Arizona/Gilbert HS (Aberdeen-NAHL)) was between the pipes for the Saints, and he made 22 saves on 24 shots to earn the win. Marcus Gloss was the goaltender for the Lions and made 41 saves.
Up Next
The Saints (14-8-1, 8-7-1 NCHA) are back in action next weekend at home when they take on Marian University for their Stick It To Cancer benefit game. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
