Golden Gusties Stop Falcons

MEQUON, Wis. - Friday night saw the CUW men's hockey team fall in their first matchup of the weekend against the Gustavus Adolphus College Golden Gusties, 4-1. 

With the loss, the Falcons now stand at 3-7-0 on the year. 

The first period was a scoreless stalemate, as senior goaltender Liam McGarva (Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.) recorded 11 saves in the opening period to keep it knotted at 0-0. 

But with 12:59 left in the second period, off a penalty shot, the Golden Gusties took a 1-0 lead. 

Later in the second period, Gustavus Adolphus had two players in the penalty box, giving the Falcons the five-on-three advantage. 

CUW took advantage of their opportunity, as sharp passing, starting with freshman Sawyer Wirsing (Arundel, Maine), led to a pass to senior Joey Petronack (White Bear Lake, Minn.). Petronack then slid the puck over to the open sophomore Grant Newcomer (McFarland, Wis.), who, with space in front of him, ripped a deep shot from the right side of the ice that flew past the Gustavus' goalie to knot the game 1-1.

The score would remain 1-1 heading into the second intermission.

Out of the break, the Golden Gusties retook their one-goal lead, scoring just 2:14 into the period, to go up 2-1. 

Gustavus Adolphus would tack on another goal with 4:26 left in the game to halt the Falcons' comeback effort and take the 3-1 lead. 

Despite CUW's best efforts to level the score, the Golden Gusties claimed the 4-1 victory after scoring an empty-net goal.

In the loss, Liam McGarva recorded 22 saves. Meanwhile, Sawyer Wirsing won 10-of-16 faceoffs.  

As a team, the Falcons outshot GAC 34-26. 

The Falcons will get another shot at the Golden Gusties tomorrow, Dec. 9th, when the two teams will square off at 3 p.m. from the Ozaukee Ice Center.