Power-Play woes hinder Men’s Hockey as Northland completes series sweep

MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia University was able to strike first in the initial frame Saturday afternoon at the Ozaukee Ice Center, but could not hold on against Northland College, losing 5-2 in Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association play.

CUW (6-11-0, 6-6-0 MCHA) found themselves in their defensive zone often throughout the game as the Lumberjacks initiated a fast-paced and aggressive style of play during all three frames. Freshman forward Martin Krestan (Zimrovice, Czech Republic) put the Falcons on the board in the initial frame on two well-executed passes from junior forward Russell Johnson (Monticello, Wis.) and freshman forward James Poston (Sylvania, Ohio) to gain the early lead.

After a tripping penalty on the Falcons, NC (6-10-1, 4-8-0 MCHA) capitalized on the power-play opportunity when Kraig Wright fired a goal in to the back of the net with a mere four seconds left to play in the opening stanza.

The Falcons were quick to respond in the early stages of the second period when freshman forward Lawrence Childs (Silver Springs, Md.) notched his second goal of the year from an assist by sophomore forward Morgan Sanchez (Corona, Calif.) to regain the lead, but three consecutive goals by the Lumberjacks in the period proved to be too much to overcome.

Louis Labbe proved to be the offensive sparkplug for the Lumberjacks this afternoon as he scored his fifth and sixth goals of the season. Also scoring for NC was Mike Mikulan and Matt Lennon.

With 16 total penalties between the two clubs, neither had a strong showing converting on power-play opportunities as CUW went 0-for-7 and NC went 1-for-9. The Falcons were 1-for-13 on power-play chances this series.

The Falcons will travel to Lake Forest on 1/25 for the first game of a home-and-home series between the clubs. The puck is set to drop at 7:00 p.m.