Gauld guides Men's Hockey to Thanksgiving Cup win over Bethel

MEQUON, Wis. – Freshman Taylor Gauld recorded his first career two-goal effort in a Concordia University Wisconsin Men's Hockey uniform as he helped guide the Falcons to a 3-2 win over Bethel University Friday night at the Ozaukee Ice Center. The win means if the Falcons can win or tie tomorrow, they will retain the Thanksgiving Cup.

THE BASICS
- Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 3, Bethel 2
- Location: Ozaukee Ice Center – Mequon, Wis.
- Records: Concordia Wisconsin 5-3-1; Bethel 1-7-1

HOW IT HAPPENED

- It was the visiting Royals who got on the board first with a George Splichal goal just 4:32 into play. Spichal's score was assisted by Peter Barral.

- The Falcons would close the opening period with a pair of goals, taking a 2-1 lead into the first intermission. Gauld (Whitby, Ontario) scored his first goal 9:15 into the stanza before sophomore Braden Crone (Metiskow, Alberta) gave the Falcons a 2-1 lead just 2:40 later.

- Freshman Nick Erb (London, Ontario) and sophomore Jared Pilet (Seattle, Wash.) picked up assists on Gauld's first goal, while freshmen Connor Hogg (London, Ontario) and Stefen Seel (Invermere, British Columbia) assisted on the second score. Seel ran his point streak to six games with the helper in the second.

- Gauld would score what would go down as the game-winner 6:42 into the second period, the goal also coming on the power play. The Falcons finished the night 1-for-4 with the man advantage, while killing off all four of Bethel's power play chances. Erb and junior David Haaf (Medicine Hat, Alberta) assisted on the game-winning goal.

- Bethel would make things interesting down the stretch, scoring with 1:23 left in regulation, cutting the Falcons lead to just one. It was former Falcon Travis Payne who had the Royals goal. Bethel had a couple good chances shortly after and pulled goaltender Jesse Garcia for 58 seconds, but Falcons goalie Jack Romanuik stood strong to get his second win of the season.

- Romanuik (Melfort, Saskatchewan) finished the night with 20 saves, including seven in the final period. The Falcons had a 37-22 edge in shots on goal Friday.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

- CUW is off to its best start in program history with the 5-3-1 record. The previous best start came in the first year of the Jasen Wise era (2012-13) when the Falcons started 4-5-0 through nine games.

- CUW also took the right step in trying to win a third straight Thanksgiving Cup. The Falcons and Royals started this series in 2013-14 and the Falcons have won both Thanksgiving Cups to date. A win or tie would clinch a third straight tomorrow.

UP NEXT

- The Falcons and Royals are set for a 4 p.m. puck drop tomorrow at the Ozaukee Ice Center.