Falcons Run Past MSU-Denver

MEQUON, Wis. - The Concordia University Wisconsin men's ACHA hockey team returned to the Ozaukee Ice Center on Friday, facing off against the Metropolitan State University of Denver Roadrunners. The Falcons secured a thrilling 4-3 victory, improving their record to 10-3-0.

CUW struck first at the 8:39 mark of the opening period when senior Tommy Cassel (Grafton, Wis.) redirected a shot from Nolan Judge (Glendale, Ariz.), who received a pass from freshman Rocco Cicirello (Mequon, Wis.).

The Falcons extended their lead to 2-0 with just 20 seconds left in the first period on a power play. After sharp passing from senior Garrett Wilderman (Waukesha, Wis.) to senior Rex Staudacher (Yorkville, Ill.), Staudacher fed sophomore Chuck Emme (Glenview, Ill.) near the net. In his first game of the season, Emme quickly capitalized, beating the Roadrunners' goaltender.

However, MSU-Denver responded in the second period, scoring two quick goals to tie the game at 2-2. Unfazed, CUW regained the lead with just 2:10 remaining in the period. Staudacher found Emme in front of the net, who then passed to senior Nick Roberts (Ding Dong, Texas), allowing Roberts to use his skate to tap the puck in, putting the Falcons ahead 3-2 heading into the final period.

The Falcons increased their lead to 4-2 when Nolan Judge cleared the puck down the ice. Chuck Emme retrieved it behind the net and executed a wrap-around goal, giving CUW a two-goal cushion.

Despite strong defensive play from the Falcons, MSU-Denver scored with just 23 seconds remaining in the game. Trailing by one, the Roadrunners opted for an empty net, pulling their goaltender to play six-on-five. However, the Falcons' defense held strong, securing the 4-3 victory.

Junior Austin Bartell (New Berlin, Wis.) recorded 33 saves in the win, boasting a .917 save percentage. Chuck Emme led all players with three points, scoring two goals and providing one assist, while Rex Staudacher and Nolan Judge each added two assists.

As a team, the Falcons won 28 faceoffs to the Roadrunners' 24 and committed six penalty minutes compared to MSU-Denver's eight.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday at the Ozaukee Ice Center.