Falcons Down Dubuque in Overtime

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Concordia University Wisconsin men's ice hockey team improved to 4-6-0 overall and 3-4-0 in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) play with a thrilling 4-3 overtime win over the Dubuque Spartans.

Determined to earn their first win of the season on home ice, the Spartans struck first with a goal midway through the first period. However, the Falcons responded with a power-play goal in the final minutes of the frame. Freshman Devon Savignac (Sudbury, Ont.) found the back of the net, with sophomore Alex Ochitwa (Prince George, B.C.) earning the primary assist, while junior Noah Roitman (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) was credited with the secondary assist.

In the first period, freshman Cameron Hrdlicka (Calgary, Alta.) turned away 11 shots, keeping the game tied at 1-1.

The second period followed a similar pattern, with Dubuque regaining the lead early in the frame. But once again, Savignac came through on the power play, scoring his second goal of the night to even the score at 2-2. Ochitwa picked up another assist, and freshman Levi Carter (Keremeos, B.C.) earned the secondary assist.

Dubuque would take a 3-2 lead into the third period, netting a late goal before the break.

The Falcons, however, remained composed and responded early in the third with a shorthanded goal from sophomore Matt Koepke (Vernon Hills, Ill.). Ochitwa and Roitman picked up assists on the play, marking their third and second assists of the game, respectively.

The remainder of regulation saw both teams playing strong defense, keeping the score knotted at 3-3, forcing overtime.

Just one minute into the extra period, freshman Jack Guvenal (Georgetown, Wis.) scored the game-winning goal, securing the 4-3 victory for the Falcons. Ochitwa earned his fourth assist of the game on the play.

Cameron Hrdlicka finished with 27 saves, improving to 2-1-0 on the season. From the faceoff circle, Levi Carter won 8 of 12 opportunities, while Devon Savignac posted a team-high 11 faceoff wins. Savignac also recorded his second multi-goal game of his career, while Jack Guvenal netted his first career game-winning goal, following up on his game-winner against Northland on November 5.

Meanwhile, Alex Ochitwa set a career-high with four assists in the victory.

The Falcons will look to complete the weekend sweep tomorrow as they face the Spartans of Dubuque once again.