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Wisconsin-Superior
Yellowjackets
Thomas Paine
Jed Carlson-Superior Telegram

Men's Hockey

Yellowjackets get back in win column

Thomas Paine's second goal of the year was the game-winner on Friday night.
Box Score

Yellowjackets 2, Bethel 0

The last time we saw the Yellowjacket men's hockey team they were enduring their toughest weekend of the season, with a tie and a loss at Finlandia, who entered the two-game set without a win on the season. The games  brought a conclusion a frustrating and trying 2013 portion of the schedule.

After four weeks away the Yellowjackets returned to action on Friday night, and returned to the win column in the process, employing a new-fangled forecheck and riding it to a 2-0 win over Bethel at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn.

The win put a halt to a four-game winless streak (0-2-2). The last time the Yellowjackets won was their impressive 3-0 win over Norwich at the PrimeLine Great Northern ShootOut. The victory also marked the first time this season that the Yellowjackets were victorious on a Friday night.

In the first period the Yellowjackets outshot the Royals 7-5 but were forced to go to the locker room scoreless after the first period. The best scoring chance of the period came late when Jeff Forsythe (Campbell River, British Columbia/Timberline Secondary) rang a shot off the post from the left circle.

An early second period power play provided the Yellowjackets with the momentum needed to swing the pendulum their way and the controlled play the rest of the way. Still, they struggled to find the back of the net.

Bethel nearly grabbed a 1-0 lead but Drew Strandberg (Thunder Bay, Ontario/Westgate CV&I) made a pair of spectacular saves, stopping the first attempt going from his right to his left and then slamming the door at the rebound. Seconds later the Yellowjackets almost pulled ahead, but Bethel goaltender Steven Bolton was equal to the task, stoning Michael Rey (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Garden City Collegiate) on a point-blank chance.

Another power play later in the period provided another good scoring chance for Forsythe, but again he was foiled by the goal post. Forty seconds after the power play expired the Yellowjackets continued to apply pressure and they were finally rewarded for their persistence as Thomas Paine (Superior, Wis./Marshall School) fired a wrist shot from between the circles that beat Bethel goaltener Bolton on the stick side to make it a 1-0 game. Paine's tally, the eventual game winner, was his second of the season. Anton Svensson (Soldertalje, Sweden/Igelstavikens Gymnasium) and Cody Hotchkin (Duluth, Minn./Denfeld) assisted.

The Yellowjackets gave themselves some insurance on the power play in the third period. Brilliant puck movement gave them a pair of good scoring chances, one for Rey and another for Pat Dalbec (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior), but Bolton stood tall. Moments later he wasn't as lucky as Derek Stauber (Duluth, Minn./Marshall School) wired a wrist shot from the top of the right circle past Bolton for his first of the year to make it 2-0. Forsythe and Eric Shand (San Dimas, Calif./San Dimas) assisted on the goal at 4:06 of the third.

As time ticked off the clock Bethel pulled Bolton for an extra attacker and the Yellowjackets had numerous chances at the empty net, but on this night they would have to settle for just two goals and leave town with a 2-0 win.

Strandberg picked up his second shutout of the season, finishing the night with just 12 saves. His record improves to 3-3-2 on the season. At the other end Bolton was much busier and made 36 stops.

On the power play the Yellowjackets were 1-for-4, while going a perfect 2-for-2 on the penalty kill. Bethel took four penalties for eight minutes while the Yellowjackets took just two for four minutes.

The Yellowjackets (5-7-2, 0-1-1 WIAC) will play their final non-conference game of the season on Saturday night when they travel to St. Paul to take on nationally-ranked St. Thomas. Game time from the St. Thomas Ice Arena is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The game can be heard live locally on 91.3 FM KUWS beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45. If you are outside the local listening area you can tune in online through the iFan Sports Network or the live stream of Wisconsin Public Radio. Jon Garver will have the call.
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