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Mens Hockey Swept in NCHA series finale

Mark Heinert
January 9, 2001

The St. Olaf men?s hockey team ended a tough six game non-conference series with the NCHA by losing a close game to the University of Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils 3-2 on Friday night in Northfield and 6-2 to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in River Falls on Saturday.

In the first game, the Oles came roaring out of the gate, eager to start out the New Year with a much-needed victory. Senior alternate captain Adam Will (Lino Lakes, MN) put the Oles on the board just 1:36 into the game off a centering feed from junior Craig Newman (Eagan, MN). However, the Blue Devils countered back just two minutes later to tie the game at 1-1 and the score remained deadlocked throughout the remainder of the period. UW-Stout grabbed a 2-1 lead with a shorthanded goal at 3:43 of the second period and kept the 2-1 lead throughout the second period. The Blue Devils then scored 36 seconds into the 3rd period to extend their lead to 3-1. Senior alternate captain Tim Legreid (Moorhead, MN) scored at 4:27 of the 3rd period to cut the lead to 3-2, but that?s as close as the Oles would get. St. Olaf out shot the Blue Devils 35-30, but could not get the equalizer. Sophomore goaltender Jake Bullard (Bloomington, MN) stopped 27 of 30 shots in the loss.

In the second game, the Oles traveled to River Falls, WI to meet the NCHA conference leading Falcons from UW-River Falls. The Oles quickly found out why the Falcons were in first place in the NCHA and ranked number 4 in the nation. The Falcons scored 3 goals in the first five minutes of the game and raced out to 3-0. The Oles were able to hold their composure and get several quality scoring chances, but the score remained 3-0 after 1 period. First-year forward Aaron Opheim (Burnsville, MN) scored at 8:53 of the second period to cut the lead to 3-1 and the momentum appeared to be swinging St. Olaf?s way. However, UW-River Falls countered back 3 minutes later to increase their lead to 4-1 and the Oles still trailed by three goals at the end of the second period. UW-River Falls would add a shorthanded goal three minutes into the 3rd period and an even strength tally at 6:03 to take a 6-1 lead. Junior forward Justin Bronce (Eden Prairie, MN) cut the lead to 6-2 at 11:55 of the 3rd period, but the damage had been done. The Oles were out shot by the Falcons 35-21 as the Oles suffered their third straight loss. First-year goaltender Garret Hasti (St. Louis Park, MN) stopped 29 of 35 shots for the Oles.

St. Olaf concludes their series against the NCHA with a 1-5 record. St. Olaf now moves to 3-9 overall (2-4 MIAC). The Oles return to conference play next weekend against the Cardinals of St. Mary?s University with a Friday night game in Winona and a Saturday night game in Northfield. Both games begin at 7 pm.

Contact Kurt Anderson at 507-786-3315 or anderk@stolaf.edu.