Yellowjackets, Falcons skate to a draw

Drew Strandberg

Box Score

Yellowjackets 1, River Falls 1 (OT)
Box Score

Entering Friday's game, the Yellowjackets and UW-River Falls were teams at opposite ends of the spectrum. In the early going the Yellowjackets have enjoyed special teams success and employed a balanced offensive attack on their way to the upper half of the conference standings. On the other side, UW-River Falls, after starting the season 4-0-0 was winless in their last four, was still seeking their first conference win and have struggled defensively and on special teams, typical hallmarks of Falcon hockey.

On Friday, however, the Falcons looked more like their old selves, throwing strong special teams and a stifling defense at the Yellowjackets. It wasn't enough to get the win, though, as the Yellowjackets put out just as strong an effort and the teams skated to a 1-1 tie at W.H. Hunt Arena in River Falls, Wis.

After a scoreless first period, the Falcons broke through on the power play early in the second. Seconds after Andy Singerhouse (Hudson, Wis./Hill-Murray) was called for interference, Joey Massingham (Duncan, British Columbia/Cowichan Secondary) joined him in the penalty box on a holding call and River Falls took advantage. Up two players, a shot from the point by Zach Schroetenboer missed the net, but the carom off the end board came directly to Willie Hess in the left circle and he tucked it into the net for his second of the year, making it 1-0 at 4:38.

Later in the second the Yellowjackets had a golden opportunity with a 2-on-1, but Caleb Wolfgram made a great defensive play to first take away the pass and second deny Pat Dalbec (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) a shooting opportunity.

In the third period the Yellowjackets finally got on the board and broke goaltender Scott Lewan's shutout bid. Kevin Clark (San Dimas, Calif./San Dimas) got the puck at the right point and quickly took a wrist shot that beat Lewan high on the stick side to tie the game at 8:14 of the third. Clark's first collegiate goal was assisted by Massingham and Dalbec.

A few minutes after tying the game the Yellowjackets again had a 2-on-1 opportunity, but once again the Falcon defense made a perfect play, taking away the scoring chance and keeping the game tied.

Nothing was decided in regulation, so the teams headed for overtime - the second overtime game of the season for each team. The Yellowjackets carried the play for much of the extra session and outshot the Falcons 5-1, but neither team could punch home the winner and they settled for a tie.

Drew Strandberg (Thunder Bay, Ontario/Westgate CV&I) played arguably his best game of the season, turning aside 26 shots. At the other end Lewan made 34 saves.

The Yellowjackets took three penalties for six minutes, while the Falcons took just one for two minutes. The Yellowjackets were 0-1 on the power play while River Falls was 1-3.

The assist for Dalbec means his scoring streak is alive and well at ten games, and he has at least one point in every game so far in 2012-13.

The Yellowjackets (7-2-1, 4-2-1 NCHA) will close out the weekend series and their NCHA schedule for the first semester on Saturday, December 1. The opening face-off against the Falcons at W.H. Hunt Arena is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The game can be heard live locally on 91.3 FM KUWS, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m. If you are outside the local listening area you can listen on the web at www.ifan.tv. Jon Garver will have the call.

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