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University of Wisconsin-Superior Athletics

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Wisconsin-Superior
Yellowjackets
Dan Kovar
Jade Jensen

Men's Hockey

Yellowjackets, Tommies Tie

Dan Kovar celebrates his goal against St. Thomas Saturday.
Box Score

Yellowjackets 1, St. Thomas 1 (OT)

The Yellowjacket men's hockey team, fresh off a thrilling come-from-behind overtime win over Augsburg Friday, headed into Saturday's game knowing it was facing its stiffest test of the young season as the University of St. Thomas came to Wessman Arena. The Tommies played overtime themselves Friday, only they came up just short, falling to UW-River Falls.

For the second night in a row the teams needed extra time to decide things, and the only thing decided after 65 minutes was that neither team would pick up the win on this night.

The Yellowjackets scored in the first period, the Tommies answered in the second, and that was it as the teams skated to a 1-1 tie.

Both teams were stingy defensively, with limited scoring chances produced by either side. When chances did arise, solid goaltending, or a goal post was there to keep things close.

After a couple chances early the Yellowjackets broke through on a fluke goal. Dan Kovar (Bismarck, N.D./St. Mary's Central) took a long shot from center ice that Tommie goaltender Joe Morris misplayed and it went off the post and in to give the Yellowjackets a 1-0 lead at 12:08 of the first period. The unassisted goal was the first as a Yellowjacket for Kovar.

St. Thomas opened the door for the Yellowjackets to stretch the lead, giving them multiple power play chances in the first period. All they came away with were three hit goal posts, one from Eric Shand (San Dimas, Calif./San Dimas) and two from Anton Svensson (Sodertalje, Sweden/Igelstavikens Gymnasium).

The Yellowjackets drew a five-minute power play when Willie Faust was called for boarding on Jordan Shockley (Duluth, Minn./Marshall School), but they were unable to capitalize and increase the lead.

As the second period unfolded, the penalty calls became more frequent. The majority of the calls went against the Yellowjackets, including a long two-man disadvantage, but every time it was needed the penalty kill came through.

Then in the closing minutes of the second the Tommies tied the game. Chris Benson was making his way through the slot when he tipped a shot from the blue line that beat Bryce Fink (Tacoma, Wash./Keystone) low to make it 1-1 at 15:59.

In the third the Yellowjackets gave St. Thomas three more power play chances, including another five-on-three, but once again the penalty kill did the job to shut the door.

St. Thomas outshot the Yellowjackets 12-5 in the third period and overtime, but the Yellowjackets kept the quality chances to a minimum to preserve the tie.

Fink's record moved to 1-0-1 on the year with his 28-save performance. At the other end Morris made 20 saves. His record stands at 1-1-2.

The Yellowjackets took eight penalties for 16 minutes in the game, including being whistled for seven of the final eight penalties in the game. St. Thomas, meanwhile, took five penalties for 13 minutes. Both teams were scoreless on the power play, the Yellowjackets in four chances and the Tommies in seven.

With the tie the Yellowjackets remain unbeaten at 3-0-1. The last time they started a season unbeaten in their first four was 2006-07 when they started the year 4-0-0. The last time a Yellowjacket team was unbeaten in its first five games 2004-05. That season the Yellowjackets were unbeaten in their first 20 games and were the last undefeated team in the country, starting the year 14-0-6.

The Yellowjackets return to the road for the next two games, starting with a trip to Northfield, Minnesota where they will take on St. Olaf College. Game time on Friday, November 13 is set for 7:00 p.m. The game can be heard live on 91.3 FM in Superior, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m. Jon Garver will have the call.
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Players Mentioned

Bryce Fink

#1 Bryce Fink

G
5' 8"
Sophomore
Dan Kovar

#13 Dan Kovar

D
5' 9"
Sophomore
Eric Shand

#5 Eric Shand

D
6' 1"
Junior
Jordan Shockley

#17 Jordan Shockley

F
5' 8"
Junior
Anton Svensson

#11 Anton Svensson

F
5' 8"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Bryce Fink

#1 Bryce Fink

5' 8"
Sophomore
G
Dan Kovar

#13 Dan Kovar

5' 9"
Sophomore
D
Eric Shand

#5 Eric Shand

6' 1"
Junior
D
Jordan Shockley

#17 Jordan Shockley

5' 8"
Junior
F
Anton Svensson

#11 Anton Svensson

5' 8"
Junior
F