Stuermer sets career goals record, leads Men's Hockey over Finlandia

MEQUON, Wis. – It was a day for records for the Concordia University Wisconsin Men's Hockey team in their 5-1 Northern Collegiate Hockey Association win over Finlandia University. Junior Devin Stuermer set the program's new career mark, while two other marks were tied in the Falcons victory Saturday at the Ozaukee Ice Center. The win was also the fourth straight for the Falcons, who are rolling heading into a month-long break.

Stuermer (Milwaukee, Wis.) scored two second-period goals to bring his career total to 28, surpassing the mark set by Jonathan Smith (2007-11). His first goal, which tied the mark, came at the 13:22 point of the second, while the record-setting score was netted with 1:02 to play before the second intermission. The second score was a power play goal which gave the Falcons a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes of play.

Junior Eli Riddle and freshman Anthony Pickering also tied CUW records on Saturday. Riddle (Blissfield, Mich.) assisted on the Falcons first goal, scored by freshman Travis Marit (Assiniboia, Saskatchewan), and in the process tied Jari Sanders (2007-11) career assists mark at 37.

Pickering (Sylvan Lake, Alberta) has been a force in the early goings of his collegiate career and tied Stuermer's program record for consecutive games with a point at eight. Pickering assisted on the game-winning goal, scored with 50 seconds remaining in the first period by freshman Brody Decker (Dousman, Wis.).

Despite the three records, it very well may have been junior goaltender Domingo Torrenueva (Oshawa, Ontario) who was the start of the game Saturday, continuing his impressive run. Torrenueva stopped 39 shots to run his record to 3-0-0 as a starter this season. He has got the nod at starter in each of the Falcons last three games and responded by posting a 1.00 goals against average and a .971 save percentage during that time.

Just like last night's game, it took CUW a little while to get on the board. The Falcons two first period goals came in the final 2:20 as Marit and Decker gave them a 2-0 lead before the first break. Sophomore Kyle Fink (Milwaukee, Wis.) added an assist on Marit's score, while freshman Jared Pilet (Seattle, Wash.) also assisted on the Decker goal.

Stuermer gave the Falcons a 3-0 lead in the second period before Lucas Lahnala of Finlandia made the score 3-1 with 3:32 to go before the second intermission. Lahnala scored on the power play as the Lions were 1-for-6 with the man advantage. Stuermer's second goal of the second period was also on the power play, the Falcons only extra man goal in four chances. Freshman Cody Dixon (Hales Corners, Wis.) assisted on Stuermer's first goal, while sophomore Chris Hughes (Dundee, Mich.) added a helper on the record setter.

The third period saw just one goal scored as Dixon lit the lamp for the second straight game, finishing the night with two points. Pilet added his second helper on the final score of the contest.

CUW will have just over a month off before taking to the ice again. The Falcons will next play Wednesday, January 7 in a home matchup against Aurora University, a team they defeated 8-2 back on November 19.