Notables
-CSS scored two goals in the first 1:17 of the game
-Mettler and DeBoom record first career multi-point games
-Sixth straight meeting in Duluth decided by a goal or less
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's hockey team led 4-1 early in the second period, but St. Norbert College (Wis.) scored the next four goals of the second period to rally past the Saints 5-4 Friday at Mars Lakeview Arena in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) action.
How It Happened
The Saints got off to a very fast start by scoring two goals in the opening one minute and 17 seconds of play. First it was
Nate Pionk (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown HS (Minot-NAHL)) giving the Saints a 1-0 lead just 50 seconds into the game.
Mike Nolan (Aldergrove, British Columbia/Yale Secondary (Fresno-WSHL)) and
Jon Hansen (Duluth, Minn./Duluth Marshall (Minnesota Mullets-USPHL)) had the assists. Just 27 seconds later,
Max Mettler (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West HS (Minot-NAHL)) scored his first goal of the season with assists from
Alec Severson (Roseau, Minn./Roseau HS (Thief River Falls-SIJHL)) and
Zack DeBoom (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing HS (Granite City-NA3HL)) to make it 2-0.
After the Green Knights got on the board,
Bradley Golant (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South HS (Hearst-NOJHL)) put in a rebound with 32 seconds remaining in the first period to give the Saints a 3-1 advantage at the first intermission. Mettler and
Michael Talbot (Anoka, Minn./Anoka HS (Minot-NAHL)) had the assists.
St. Scholastica added to its lead early in the second period when a rebound off of a DeBoom shot was kicked in by a Green Knight skate to make it 4-1 CSS. However, St. Norbert responded by scoring two goals in the span of less than two minutes to cut its deficit to 4-3 with 15 minutes still remaining in the second period.
The Green Knights tied the contest at 4-4 midway through the period and would take their first lead with three minutes remaining in the second to lead 5-4 at the second intermission.
The Saints would have two power-play opportunities in the third period, but could not capitalize as the final 20 minutes went scoreless for both teams resulting in a 5-4 St. Norbert victory.
Goaltending
Freshman
Jack Branby (St. Paul, Minn./Highland Park HS (Winnipeg Blues-MJHL)) had his second collegiate start and made 33 saves for the Saints. The Green Knights went to the bench after the fourth CSS goal and Ryan Bontorin earned the win, stopping 17 shots in the final 39 minutes.
Up Next
The Saints (5-15-1, 3-13-1 NCHA) and Green Knights (11-8-2, 9-6-2 NCHA) will wrap up their series tomorrow (Saturday) at 5 p.m. at Mars Lakeview Arena. It will also be Senior Day for the Saints.
