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University of Wisconsin-Superior Athletics

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Wisconsin-Superior
Yellowjackets
Cody Hotchkin
Jade Jensen

Men's Hockey

River Falls Edges Yellowjackets

Cody Hotchkin had the lone goal of the game Friday for the Yellowjackets.
Box Score

River Falls 3, Yellowjackets 1

There's a saying that goes something along the lines of "the harder I work, the luckier I get." The Yellowjacket men's hockey team may be questioning that adage right about now.

Mired in an extended losing streak, the Yellowjackets' effort can not be disputed, but unfortunately the aforementioned luck has not followed. After a game last Saturday that saw the Yellowjackets lose to Stevens Point and endure the lion's share of bad luck, history repeated itself Friday night.

A lucky bounce opened the scoring for River Falls in the first period, and an empty netter in the final minute sealed it, as the Falcons picked up the 3-1 win at W.H. Hunt Arena in River Falls, stretching the Yellowjacket losing streak to six games.

The Yellowjackets outshot River Falls 8-6 in the first period and held a territorial advantage early. As the period went on River Falls gained some momentum, and in the waning minutes employed a lucky bounce to score first. Mike Williams had the puck in the Yellowjacket zone on the left wing and threw the puck to the front of the net. The play caught Yellowjacket goaltender Bryce Fink (Tacoma, Wash./Keystone) off guard and caromed off him into the net to make it 1-0 with 2:45 to play in the first period.

It stayed that way into the third period when the Yellowjackets got their first power play of the game. Working the puck around the offensive zone with precision, the Yellowjackets got the puck to Eric Shand (San Dimas, Calif./San Dimas) at the right point, whose shot was stopped but the rebound lay to the left of the net and Cody Hotchkin (Duluth, Minn./Denfeld) banged it home for his sixth of the season, evening the score at 1-1.

Like in the first period, after a slow start River Falls began to dial up the pressure as the period progressed, and with 11:22 to go they broke the tie for good. Alex Murphy received a pass in the right circle and his shot went off of Fink's glove and in for his sixth of the season, making the score 2-1.

The Yellowjackets followed with an extended stretch of power play, and although they came close they were unable to tie the score.

With the teams skating 4-on-4 in the closing seconds, the Yellowjackets pulled Fink for an extra attacker, but the Falcons took advantage. Team scoring leader Kyle Gattalero shot from center ice, scoring into the empty net to make the final score 3-1.

Fink played well Friday, finishing the game with 22 stops. But as well as Fink played, Milliron was even better, thwarting the Yellowjackets time and again to pick up the win. He finished the night with 33 saves.

River Falls took five penalties for 10 minutes in the game, while the Yellowjackets took three for five minutes. The Yellowjackets were 1-for-3 on the power play and River Falls was scoreless in its one opportunity.

The Yellowjackets (7-13-0, 0-7-0 WIAC) will try once again to snap their losing streak when they meet the Falcons Saturday night at Hunt Arena. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. and can be heard live on 91.3 FM in Superior beginning with the pre-game show that will begin at the conclusion of the Yellowjacket women's basketball broadcast. If you are outside the local listening area you can tune in online through the iFan Sports Network. Jon Garver will have the call.
 
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Players Mentioned

Cody Hotchkin

#20 Cody Hotchkin

F
5' 9"
Senior
Eric Shand

#5 Eric Shand

D
6' 1"
Sophomore
Bryce Fink

#1 Bryce Fink

G
5' 8"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Cody Hotchkin

#20 Cody Hotchkin

5' 9"
Senior
F
Eric Shand

#5 Eric Shand

6' 1"
Sophomore
D
Bryce Fink

#1 Bryce Fink

5' 8"
Freshman
G