Notables
-First NCHA game to use 3-on-3 overtime format
-CSS earns one point in defeat
-Trenciansky makes career-high 43 saves
-First career multi-goal game for Talbot
MEQUON, Wis. (
csssaints.com) – On Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) opening night, the St. Scholastica men's hockey team rallied to force overtime, but Concordia University Wisconsin netted the game winner with 1:30 remaining in the 3-on-3 overtime to win by a final of 4-3 Friday.
How it Happened
The Saints took their first lead of the season one minute and 16 seconds into the game on
Alec Severson's (Roseau, Minn./Roseau HS (Thief River Falls-SIJHL)) first goal of the year.
Parker Mismash (Edina, Minn./Edina HS (Minnesota Magicians-NAHL)) and
Bryce Johnson (Roseau, Minn./Roseau HS (Thief River Falls-SIJHL)) had the assists. The Falcons put a flurry of shots on CSS goaltender
Nick Trenciansky (Vancouver, British Columbia/Holy Cross Regional HS (Kindersley-SJHL)) following the goal and ultimately tied the contest five minutes later.
Concordia took the lead midway through the period with a power-play goal to make it 2-1 at the first intermission. The Falcons added to their lead in the second period with a short-handed goal to make it 3-1. It remained that way until the third period, despite CSS having a 15-10 shot advantage in the second period.
The Saints cut the margin to 3-2 two minutes into the third period on a
Michael Talbot (Anoka, Minn./Anoka HS (Minot-NAHL)) goal.
Vinny Billing (Rogers, Minn./Rogers HS (New Ulm-NA3HL)) was credited with the assist. Concordia would be called for a five-minute major penalty shortly later and CSS eventually capitalized on another Talbot goal with less than 10 minutes remaining to tie the contest at 3-3.
The Falcons struck the pipe in the final minute and the game went to overtime. New this season, the NCHA went to a 3-on-3 overtime format, which meant teams are guaranteed one point for making it to overtime. If no goals were to be scored in overtime then a three-skater shootout would take place to see which team gets the second point.
Concordia controlled much of the overtime with Trenciansky making a couple of great saves to keep the Saints in it. CSS then had a great opportunity when
Carson Rose (Surrey, British Columbia/Elgin Park Secondary (Weyburn-SJHL)) skated in, but he too would strike the pipe. Less than a minute later with the Saints unable to control the puck the Falcons found the net to make the final 4-3.
Goaltending
Trenciansky made a career-high 42 saves for the Saints, while Bo Didur had 33 saves for Concordia.
Up Next
The Saints (0-3) and Falcons (3-7) conclude their series tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon at 4 p.m.
