ACHA Storms Past Thunder

MEQUON, Wis. – The CUW ACHA hockey team improved to 14-5-0 overall and 10-3-0 at the Ozaukee Ice Center with a 3-1 victory over the Thunder of Trine on Friday night.

The Falcons struck first with a power play goal early in the first period after a cross-checking penalty on Trine. Sophomore Chuck Emme (Glenview, Ill.) maneuvered around his defender and sent a shot just past the goaltender's right skate, with assists from freshman Rocco Cicirello (Mequon, Wis.) and senior Nick Roberts (Ding Dong, Texas).

Trine had a prime scoring opportunity early in the second period, but their shot rang off the crossbar, keeping the Falcons in the lead. The Thunder would eventually tie the game with a shot from the left circle with 3:54 remaining in the period, making it 1-1 heading into the third.

CUW wasted no time in the third period, as senior Andrew Malek (Milwaukee, Wis.) made a key steal in his own defensive zone and then buried a shot just 32 seconds into the period, giving the Falcons a 2-1 lead.

Emme sealed the win in the final minute with an empty-net goal after Malek jarred the puck loose in the neutral zone, securing the 3-1 victory for the Falcons.

In goal, junior Austin Bartell (New Berlin, Wis.) earned the win with a solid performance, stopping 34 shots.

Offensively, Chuck Emme led the way with a game-high eight shots on goal and won 9 of 17 faceoffs. Senior Tommy Cassel (Grafton, Wis.) was dominant in the faceoff circle, winning 16 of 30 draws.

The Falcons will look to complete the weekend sweep when they face Trine again on Saturday.