Skip To Main Content

University of Wisconsin-Superior Athletics

schedule

Wisconsin-Superior
Yellowjackets
Drew Strandberg
Scott Thomson

Men's Hockey

Offense missing as Yellowjackets, Green Knights tie

Drew Strandberg
Box Score
Yellowjackets 0, St. Norbert 0
Box Score

Since the calendar flipped to 2012, the Yellowjackets have struggled to score.  With the exception of two games last weekend, the Yellowjackets have been in a rut where the norm is two goals or less each night out.  Traditionally when they go head-to-head with St. Norbert College, no matter the venue, offense comes at a premium.  Friday night was no exception.

For much of the game, neither team was able to generate even a decent scoring chance let alone a goal, and the Yellowjackets and Green Knights skated to a 0-0 tie at Wessman Arena. 

How rare is this occurance?  You have to go back to November 9, 2002 to find the last time the Yellowjackets and an opponent went 0-0, as they and River Falls played to a scoreless tie at Wessman Arena.  It's even more rare for St. Norbert, who hasn't skated in a goal-free game since January 27, 1995 when they did so against UW-Stevens Point.

The effort was there for the Yellowjackets on Friday, but the sharpness that was seen last weekend was not, particularly in the first period when St. Norbert outshot the Yellowjackets 12-4.  The best scoring chance of the game came in the second period.  With the Green Knights down a man, team captain Johan Ryd split the Yellowjacket defense and went in on the breakaway, snapping a shot destined to go between the pads of Drew Strandberg (Thunder Bay, Ontario/Westgate CV&I), but the sophomore goaltender closed them quick enough to keep the game scoreless.

Later in the second period, Andy Singerhouse (Hudson, Wis./Hill-Murray) was hit from behind by Marian Fiala who was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct.  For the first part of the power play the Yellowjackets were not even able to break into St. Norbert territory.  As the penalty wore on, however, they settled down and did generate some scoring chance, but the stalemate remained.

The power play gave the Yellowjackets momentum, and they got better as the game progressed.  Still, they weren't able to generate much in the way of quality scoring chances.  Late in the third period, Singerhouse was called for hooking, giving St. Norbert a power play that carried over into the overtime, but the penalty kill again rose to the occasion, keeping the game scoreless.

Strandberg picked up his first shutout of the season and the second of his career, making 27 saves.  Both of his career shutouts have come against St. Norbert.  David Jacobson made 23 saves at the other end to get the shutout for St. Norbert.  It was his second shutout of the year, both of which have come against the Yellowjackets.

The Yellowjackets took three penalties for six minutes, while St. Norbert took four for 19 minutes.  Both teams went 0-2 on the power play.

The Yellowjackets (9-8-5, 4-6-5 NCHA) will play their final home game of the regular season on Saturday, February 4 when they host UW-Stevens Point.  Game time is 7:05 p.m. and can be heard live locally on 91.3 FM KUWS, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m.  You can listen online at www.ifan.tv, or watch the game live via UW-Superior's online provider, AmericaOne.  Jon Garver will have the call.

At Saturday's game the Yellowjackets will honor their 2012 senior class.  It will also be Military Appreciation Night, a cooperative effort between the Superior Jaycees, the Wisconsin National Guard and Yellowjacket Athletics.  More information on Saturday's events can be found here.
Print Friendly Version