Hutton delivers overtime game-winner, Men's Hockey downs LU

MEQUON, Wis. – Freshman Dylan Hutton will always remember his first game played at the Ozaukee Ice Center. Hutton scored 33 seconds into overtime off an incredible pass from Buster Hebda to lift the Concordia University Wisconsin Men's Hockey team to a 3-2 victory over Lawrence University Saturday evening in the home opener.

The Falcons entered overtime a man down as they needed to kill eight seconds off a late third-period penalty. As they did all evening, CUW successfully killed the penalty and 25 seconds later Hebda (Firestone, Colo.) set up Hutton for the game-winner, which was also assisted by sophomore Chris Hughes (Dundee, Mich.). The Falcons killed off all 11 LU power plays during the contest.

CUW got on the board 8:43 into play as freshman Brandt Weldon lit the lamp for the first time in his collegiate career. Sophomores Lawrence Childs (Silver Springs, Md.) and Devin Stuermer (Milwaukee, Wis.) assisted on the Weldon goal. That would be the only scoring in the opening period in which CUW outshot Lawrence, 13-6.

LU (0-2-0, 0-2-0 NCHA) evened the score at 1-1 7:09 into the second period when Rudi Pino beat Falcons goalie Jake Hebda (Firestone, Colo.). Pino's score was set up by William Thoren and Huck Saunders. The score would remain tied until there was 3:10 remaining in the second stanza as Hughes put the Falcons back up one on a goal assisted by freshmen Brett Penner (Medstead, Saskatchewan) and Riley Storzuk (Wynyard, Saskatchewan).

Lawrence recorded the only score of the third period, scoring at the 9:04 mark. Patrick Coyne tallied the equalizer on assists from Gustav Lindgren and Phil Luongo. Each team had their chances over the final 10 minutes, especially the Vikings as they had three power play opportunities, including a 5-on-3 advantage for 18 seconds. CUW remained strong on its penalty kill and forced overtime.

The two teams combined for 19 penalties and 38 minutes in the box. CUW committed 11 of those infractions, while both teams did now allow a power play goal. The Falcons also held a slight edge in shots, 35-34.

Jake Hebda finished the game with 32 saves in 60:33 of action. He picked up his second win in as many nights, giving the Falcons another solid night between the pipes. Anton Olsson also finished with 32 saves for the Vikings.

CUW will return to action next Friday night when they host The College of St. Scholastica in another NCHA weekend series. Friday night's contest is set for 7 p.m., while the two will meet Saturday at 4 p.m., both games being played at the Ozaukee Ice Center.