Falcons Reel in Redbirds

MEQUON, Wis. – The CUW ACHA team took on the Redbirds of Illinois State on Friday afternoon.

The Blue and White got off to a hot start with the first two goals of the matchup. Senior Thomas Dyball (Papillion, Neb.) lit the lamp for the Blue and White just under two minutes into the matchup with an assist from senior Jacob Palmerio (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.). Senior Rex Staudacher (Yorkville, Ill.) followed that up two minutes later off assists from seniors Trenton Sherman (Farmington, Minn.) and Connor Doyle (Naples, Fla.).

The Redbirds netted their first goal just over six minutes into the matchup.

Senior Lucas Kreuser (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) netted an unassisted goal in the 11th minute for the third Falcon goal of the matchup. He netted another seven minutes later on a powerplay opportunity with assists from junior Ian Malcolmson (Waukesha, Wis.) and senior Alex Way (Ottawa, Ont.). That trio connected again just over one minute later when Malcolmson netted the fifth Falcon goal of the matchup and the second powerplay goal with assists from Kreuser and Way.

The Blue and White led 5-1 heading into the first intermission.

Senior Michael Fradette (Victoria, B.C.) opened the second period with his first goal of the matchup four minutes into the period off an assist from Malcolmson.

The Redbirds netted back-to-back goals to bring the score to 6-3.

The Falcons took back their five-goal lead with goals from Kreuser who was assisted by Way and senior John Swiatek (Rochester, N.Y.) assisted by sophomore Garrett Wilderman (Waukesha, Wis.).

The teams headed into the locker room ahead of the final frame with the Blue and White firmly in the lead by an 8-3 score.

Kreuser netted his second powerplay goal of the afternoon on an unassisted goal in the 13th minute.

Illinois State cut the Falcon lead to five, but could not outlast the Falcons in the end and fell by a final score of 9-4.

The Blue and White look to complete the sweep on Saturday afternoon inside the Ozaukee Ice Center.