Falcons soar in NCHA opener

DULUTH, Minn. – The CUW men's hockey team opened NCHA play with a 4-3 victory. The Blue and White improved to 2-1-0 on the year with the Friday victory at St. Scholastica.

"It was a good team effort," said head coach Jasen Wise. "The boys are buying into the systems and are working their tails off. Bo is playing some great hockey right now and provdes a huge confidence boost for the defense and the penalty kill on every play."

The Saint struck first on Friday in the first period.

Less than two minutes after the CSS goal, senior Mac Ferner (Vernon, B.C.) leveled the game at one. Junior Cole Pickup (Victoria, B.C.) and senior Jim Pearson (Ashton, Ont.) had the assists.

Senior Dante Hahn (Victoria, B.C.) put the Falcons ahead with a short-handed goal at the 18:21 mark of the first period.

The Falcon power play pushed the lead to two 45 second into the second period off the stick of senior Josh Adkins (Victoria, B.C.).

The power-play goal was assisted by freshman Brandon Picard (Montreal, Que.) and sophomore Cory Dennis (Madison, Wis.).

The CUW penalty kill struck again in the third period when Brandon Picard connected on a long pass from Mac Ferner.

The Saints trimmed the lead with a late goal, but it was not enough to clip the Falcons.

Sophomore Bo Didur (Victoria, B.C.) posted a career-high 62 saves in the victory on Friday. The 62 saves are also the most this decade for any CUW goalie.

The Saints outshot the Falcons, 65-22. Junior Nick Guiney (Victoria, B.C.) led the Falcons with four shots on goal.

The CUW defense finished the night with 27 blocks.  

The two teams will compete again on Saturday afternoon.