Men's Hockey ties program goals mark in 8-2 rout of Aurora

MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin Men's Hockey team erupted for eight goals in a much-needed 8-2 victory over Aurora University Wednesday night. The win was the first of the year for the Falcons in the non-league game at the Ozaukee Ice Center.

CUW tied a program record by lighting the lamp eight times, and also posted the  most points (24) and assists (16) in school history. The last time the Falcons scored eight goals was December 7 of last season in a win at Finlandia.

Junior Devin Stuermer (Milwaukee, Wis.) and sophomore Tanner Bull (Brooklin, Ontario) each scored a pair of goals to pace the Falcons attack, while freshman Braden Crone (Metiskow, Alberta) added three helpers for a game-best three points. Junior Eli Riddle, and a pair of freshmen, Anthony Pickering and Brody Decker, each scored a goal and added an assist.

With his two goals Stuermer is now two away from tying to program's all-time mark. He now has 25 career scores as only Jonathan Smith (27) has scored more goals in a Falcons uniform.

The turning point of the contest came midway through the second period when the Falcons struck for three scores in just 1:32, setting new a program record. With the score being 2-0, CUW was able to collect the three goals from 8:18 in the second to 9:50 to open up a 5-0 lead before the second intermission.

Pickering (Sylvan Lake, Alberta) started the three-goal stretch on a score assisted by Crone and Riddle (Blissfield, Mich.). Sophomore Josh Herrington (Aurora, Ontario) then put the Falcons up 4-0 with his first goal of the season just 26 seconds later. Freshman Nick Szopinski (Beaver Dam, Wis.) collected his first career point on the Herrington score, while junior Lawrence Childs (Silver Springs, Md.) added an assist.

Just 1:06 after the Herrington score came Bull's second of the game on a rebound goal. Freshman Jared Pilet (Seattle, Wash.) and junior Matt Gates (Palatine, Ill.) assisted to give the Falcons a 5-0 lead before the second break.

CUW would extend to 6-0 on Stuermer's second goal before Aurora finally got on the board later in the third period. The Falcons would add two more goals, one by Decker and one by Riddle, before Aurora tallied the final score with just 35 seconds remaining in the game.

Freshman Dylan Frank (Truro, Nova Scotia) picked up his first career victory by stopping 28 shots. He had 10 saves in each of the first two periods, before stopping eight shots over the final frame. The Falcons themselves fired 51 shots on Aurora goaltender Griffin Strain, who finished with 43 saves. The 51 shots were the second most in a game for CUW in program history.

Sophomores Brett Penner (Medstead, Saskatchewan) and Brandt Weldon (The Pas, Manitoba), along with junior James Poston (Sylvania, Ohio) all added assists in the six-goal victory.

CUW (1-6-0) will look to build off the victory in another non-conference home game Friday night. The Falcons will take on Augsburg College with puck drop set for 7 p.m.