No. 11 St. Scholastica edges Men's Hockey in NCHA action

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Scholastica used a two-goal third period to edge the Concordia University Wisconsin Men's Hockey team in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association play Friday night at Mars Lakeview Arena. The No. 11 Saints two third period goals helped them edge the Falcons, 4-3.

With the score tied at 2-2 heading into the third period, the host Saints were able to strike for two unanswered goals, resulting in a 4-2 advantage with 3:45 remaining. The Falcons got a power play score from junior Chris Hughes (Dundee, Mich.) with 2:15 remaining, but were unable to net the tying score, resulting in the NCHA setback.

CUW did hold a power play edge Friday in a game that saw just eight penalties committed between the two teams. The Falcons scored two power play goals, finishing the night 2-for-4 with a man advantage. Freshman Braden Crone (Metiskow, Alberta) had the other power play score, coming with 1:11 remaining in the second period which tied the score at 2-2.

The Saints were able to overcome the CUW advantage on power play to score the two third-period goals. CSS built a 3-2 lead 4:12 into the final period on a Keegan Bruce goal, assisted by Dylan Nowakowski and Davie Williams. The game-winning goal was scored by Kale Derkson with 3:45 remaining in regulation as he netted a shorthanded tally. Derek Sutliffe, who added a second period goal for the Saints, assisted on the Derkson game-winner.

Junior Eli Riddle (Blissfield, Mich.) paced the Falcons with two assists, netting a helper on both of the team's second period scores. Sophomore Tanner Bull (Brooklin, Ontario) netted the Falcons first goal, coming 10:07 into the second period, which tied the score at 1-1. Riddle and senior Matt Gates (Palatine, Ill.) assisted on the Bull score.

CSS (3-0-0, 3-0-0 NCHA) had a 1-0 lead thanks to a strong first period that saw the Saints outshoot the Falcons 16-4. CUW would hold a 24-14 edge in shots the rest of the way, with 12 coming in each of the final two periods. The Saints lead came 15:15 into play on a goal by Sam Williams.

After Bull tied the score, the Saints responded with a goal 2:51 later off the stick of Sutliffe. The Falcons were able to even the score before the second intermission thanks to Crone's power play score, his first career collegiate goal. Crone also played a big part in faceoffs for the Falcons, winning 9-of-13.

Freshman Dylan Frank (Truro, Nova Scotia) got his second career start for CUW and finished the night with 26 saves. Tyler Bruggeman picked up his third win of the season for CSS, totaling 25 saves.

Sophomore Cody Doiron (Caledon, Ontario) and junior Devin Stuermer (Milwaukee, Wis.) also got onto the scoresheet for CUW, each player recording an assist. Doiron and Stuermer assisted on the Hughes power play goal late in the third period.

The Falcons will look for the series split against the Saints tomorrow afternoon. The puck is set to drop at 4 p.m. with live stats and video being provided courtesy of St. Scholastica.