Northland uses third-period flurry to down Men's Hockey

MEQUON, Wis. – A 1:15 stretch in which Northland College scored four goals proved to be a difference-maker as the Concordia University Wisconsin Men's Hockey team fell by a 6-4 score Friday night. The loss eliminates the Falcons from Harris Cup Playoffs contention as they will now conclude their season tomorrow afternoon.

THE BASICS
- Final Score: Northland 6, Concordia Wisconsin 4
- Location: Ozaukee Ice Center – Mequon, Wisconsin
- Records: Concordia Wisconsin 12-1-1, 9-9-1 NCHA; Northland 11-11-2, 9-9-1 NCHA

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Falcons entered the third period with a 2-1 lead and that score would remain until the 6:42 mark of the final stanza. That is when the Lumberjacks buried four goals in a 1:15 span, the first of those with a 5-on-3 advantage and the second also on the power play.

- The Falcons wouldn't back down, however, as they scored twice to cut the Lumberjacks lead to 5-4. Freshman Josh Adkins (Victoria, British Columbia), who also scored in the first period, made the score 5-3, while sophomore Nicholas Erb (London, Ontario) scored with 4:01 left in the third period to make the score 5-4.

- Northland would the finishing touches on the Falcons with 15 seconds remaining on a score from Jason Reynolds. Overall the third period featured seven goals, five from the visiting Lumberjacks.

- After the first period saw each team light the lamp once, the Falcons put the only tally on the board in the second stanza. Freshman Jim Pearson (Ashton, Ontario) scored his 10th goal of the season with 3:07 left before the second intermission. Freshman Dante Hahn (Victoria, British Columbia) and senior Tanner Bull (Brooklin, Ontario) picked up assists on the Pearson score.

- Lucas DeBenedet led the Lumberjacks with a three-point night, scoring one goal and adding two assists. Reynolds, Kalib Ford, Jacob Jeske, Ty Kraus, and Kurt Sonne all had two points for Northland.

- Sophomore Nate Eminger (Green Bay, Wis.) received his first career collegiate decision for the Falcons. He replaced starter Jack Romanuik (Melfort, Saskatchewan) in the second period as Romanuik left the game with an injury.

- AJ Smith made 28 saves in the win for the Lumberjacks.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Despite having identical NCHA records, the Lumberjacks clinched a playoff spot Friday night and the Falcons were eliminated. Even though both divisions play the same schedule (every league team twice), three teams from each division make the playoffs and Northland secured a top-three finish in the North Division. The Falcons can't finish in the top three in the South.

UP NEXT
- Senior Day will conclude the Men's Hockey season tomorrow as the Falcons and Lumberjacks meet again. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at the Ozaukee Ice Center.