Late third period flurry not enough as Men's Hockey falls to Northland

MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia University Wisconsin charged back with three goals in the third period to cut the deficit to just one score, but Northland College sealed the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association matchup with an empty netter to earn a 5-3 victory.

NC (5-10-1, 3-8-0 MCHA) entered the contest in last place in the MCHA, but they did not play that way in the second period as it built a comfortable 4-0 cushion with three markers. The Lumberjacks tallied two power-play markers en route to their advantage, but the Falcons regrouped after the second intermission with determination.

CUW (6-10-0, 6-5-0 MCHA) scored three unanswered goals in an 11 minute and eight second span to cut the NC lead to just one goal. Following a timeout with 1:05 to play the Falcons pulled freshman Jake Hebda (Firestone, Colo.) from goal for an extra skater, however, the Lumberjacks' Mike Lennon stole a pass and went coast-to-coast for the easy score.

The goal was Lennon's third of the contest, while Kraig Wright assisted for the third time on the night.

Junior Dan Shilts (New Richmond, Wis.) and freshman Devin Stuermer (Milwaukee, Wis.) scored even strength markers for CUW, while freshman Martin Krestan (Zimorvice, Czech Republic) scored the team's only power-play goal – his third goal in the last two games. Freshmen James Poston (Sylvania, Ohio), Eli Riddle (Blissfield, Mich.) and junior Russell Johnson (Monticello, Minn.) were credited with an assist in the league game.

CUW ended the defeat with a 33-20 shots on goal advantage and committed two fewer penalties than NC.

Both teams will conclude the two-game series on Saturday at 4 p.m. inside the Ozaukee Ice Center.