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University of Wisconsin-Superior Athletics

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Wisconsin-Superior
Yellowjackets
Cory Simons
Jade Jensen

Men's Hockey

Power Play Goal Lifts River Falls Past Yellowjackets

Cory Simons makes one of his 24 saves Friday vs. River Falls.
Box Score

River Falls 1, Yellowjackets 0

Friday night at Wessman Arena it was definitely a case of the "immovable object" meeting the "irresistable force." The Yellowjackets entered the game against UW-River Falls with the top-ranked penalty kill in the country. River Falls, meanwhile, came in with the second-ranked power play in the nation. Somehow, you knew that Friday's game would be decided with these two units on the ice.

The Yellowjackets gave the Falcons plenty of chances on the power play and killed off 4-of-5 opportunities, but that one goal proved to be the difference. Midway through the second period River Falls scored on the power play and made the single tally stand up, beating the Yellowjackets 1-0 Friday night.

The loss is bittersweet for the Yellowjackets, as they played their best game of the 2014-15 season when facing their staunchest opponent. However, their three-game winning streak comes to an end with the defeat and they lost two crucial points in conference play.

In the first period the Yellowjackets came out and established the forecheck early, carrying the play and enjoying a large territorial advantage. The Yellowjackets outshot River Falls 12-5 in the period, but the teams went to the locker room scoreless.

The vaunted Yellowjacket penalty kill did the job, killing off the first River Falls power play of the night, one that started in the first period and carried over 43 seconds into the second. At the 10-minute mark of the middle frame, Jake Johnson (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie) was called for boarding and the potent River Falls power play made the Yellowjackets pay.

A brilliant three-way passing play saw Mitch Kontny get the puck in the left circle and send a pass across the ice to the right circle, where Ryan Doner drove it home for his fifth goal of the season, making it 1-0 Falcons with 9:00 minutes left in the second period.

The power play goal was just the second surrendered by the Yellowjackets this season and ended a streak of 28 consecutive successful kills dating back to the first game of the season.

Moments after the Falcons took the lead the Yellowjackets got a power play of their own, and had an equally spectacular passing play that saw the puck end up on the stick of Anton Svensson (Soldertalje, Sweden/Igelstavikens Gymnasium) in the right circle, but his one-timer whistled over the top of the net, denying the Yellowjackets the tie game.

In the third period River Falls seemed content to play for the one-goal win, forechecking passively and making sure the Yellowjackets had no odd-man rushes. There were chances in the third, but the Yellowjackets were unable to capitalize and the Falcons held on for the win.

Tanner Milliron was strong in goal for River Falls, making the lone goal stand up. He made 37 saves to earn the win and pick up his second shut out of the season. At the other end, Cory Simons (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge) made his fourth straight start for the Yellowjackets. He wasn't tested nearly as much as Milliron but was strong in net nonetheless. Simons finished with 24 saves but saw his record fall to 3-2-0 on the year.

The Yellowjackets were called for five penalties in the game, all minors, while River Falls took four minor penalties. The Yellowjackets went 0-of-2 on the power play.

The Yellowjackets (5-5-0, 0-1-0 WIAC) will try to get back in the win column on the road Saturday, as they travel to the Hobbs Ice Center to take on UW-Eau Claire. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and can be heard live locally on 91.3 FM in Superior, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m. If you are outside the local listening area you can tune in online through the Wisconsin Public Radio web site (wpr.org) or the iFan Sports Network. Jon Garver will have the call.
 
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Players Mentioned

Anton Svensson

#11 Anton Svensson

F
5' 8"
Sophomore
Cory Simons

#30 Cory Simons

G
5' 10"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Anton Svensson

#11 Anton Svensson

5' 8"
Sophomore
F
Cory Simons

#30 Cory Simons

5' 10"
Sophomore
G