River Falls, Wis – The St. Scholastica Men's Hockey team traveled to River Falls, WI tonight to take on the Falcons of UW-River Falls in their second WIAC match-up in two days. Despite scoring two goals late in the third period, the Falcons defense prevailed, taking the game by a score of 5-4.
The Saint's Nick Lanigan (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) had the first shot of the game, but the Falcon's offense quickly tested the Saint's defense, out-shooting the Saints 14-6 in the first 11 minutes of the game. The Saints were unable to clear the puck from their territory and eventually the Falcons were able to score 11:13 into the first period. The Saint's Emmett Wurst (Edina, Minn./Edina HS) was able to respond with a strong shot on goal shortly after, but the Falcon's defense ultimately held the Saints scoreless after the first period.
The second period began with a bang for the Saints. After losing the opening face-off, the Falcons immediately turned the puck over. This turnover quickly led to a goal from Hunter Hanson (Blaine, Minn./Blaine HS) 0:08 into the second period. He was assisted by Lanigan, evening the score at 1-1.
However, the tie score was short-lived, as the Falcons would win the subsequent face-off, and score shortly after, at the 33 second mark. The Falcons regained their lead 2-1 less than a minute into the second period.
The Saint's goaltender, Eino Rissanen (Sonvillier, Switzerland/Lycée Blaise-Cendrars), was kept busy as the Falcon's offense continued to keep the pressure on, registering four consecutive shots on goal. Rissanen stood tall, saving all four attempts before covering the puck to force a stoppage in play going into the second media timeout of the night.
Shortly after the media timeout, the Saints were tagged for a minor holding penalty, giving the Falcons the first power play of the game. The Saints were able to stop two Falcon shots before they eventually got one through, 13:35 into the second period, for their third goal of the night.
With the Falcons lead extended to 3-1, the Saint's Evan Pahos (Parker, CO) had a breakaway scoring opportunity following a Falcon turnover. Off the rebound, Riley Girod (Calvet, SK, Canada) was able to score off of a beautiful pass from Braden Panzer (Grand Forks, ND). The Saints brought their deficit back to one goal with six minutes remaining in the second period.
As tensions mounted, the Saints were called for two minor roughing penalties, while the Falcons received one. This set up another Falcon power play late in the second period. The Falcons were able to once again capitalize, scoring their fourth goal of the game with just over a minute remaining in the second period, extending their lead to 4-2.
Facing a two goal deficit, the Saint's offense started off the third period with shots from Pahos and Jacob Seitz (Mountain Iron, Minn./Virginia HS). The Saints were deep in the Falcon's territory, when they turned the puck over leading to the fifth Falcons goal of the game, 4:34 into the third period, extending the Falcon's lead to three goals.
The Falcons were called for a minor elbowing penalty shortly after their fifth goal for the first Saints power play of the night. The Saints were able to place two shots on goal, before Brodie Girod (Clavet, SK, Canada/Clavet HS) was able to find the back of the net for a Saints power play goal, 6:37 into the third period. B. Girod was assisted by Isaac Suppin (Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada/George Elliot Secondary) and Hanson to bring the score to 5-3 favoring the Falcons.
Later in the third period, Tristan Shewchuk (Saskatoon, SK, Canada/St. Joseph HS) took things into his own hands and scored his eighth goal of the season on a breakaway. This goal, 14:48 into the third period, decreased the Falcon's lead to one goal, bringing the score to 5-4 with just more than five minutes remaining in regulation.
With 1:17 remaining in regulation, Saint's Coach Dave Williams called a timeout. Desperate to tie the game, the Saints would pull Rissanen for an extra skater with 45 seconds remaining, and enter the Falcon's zone. The Saints were able to place two shots on goal, but the Falcons were able to hold the Saints, winning the game 5-4.
Eino Rissanen (Sonvillier, Switzerland/Lycée Blaise-Cendrars) was in goal for the Saints tonight. He recorded 20 saves for a save percentage of .800.
Brennan Boynton was in goal for the Falcons tonight. He recorded 21 saves, earning a save percentage of .840.
The Saints (8-6-1, 3-3-0) will be back home for a MIAC match-up against the Concordia Moorhead Cobbers on Friday, January 17th. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm at Mars Lakeview Arena in Duluth, MN.
