Saint Mary's 4, Yellowjackets 2

WINONA, Minn.: Friday night the Yellowjackets stole one from Saint Mary's. The Cardinals carried the play for much of Friday's game, but the Yellowjackets took advantage of their opportunities and came out with a win. Saturday afternoon, Saint Mary's made sure the Yellowjackets wouldn't be able to do it again.

The Cardinals scored three times in the first period and held on for a 4-2 win over the Yellowjackets at the S.M.U. Ice Arena.

Saint Mary's opened the scoring at 4:41 of the first when Owen Sikich scored on a power play, putting a shot from between the circles past Oscar Svensson (Södertälje, Sweden/Haga Gymnasium) to make it 1-0. A few minutes later it went to 2-0 when Tucker Chapman deflected a point shot home. Late in the period the Cardinals stretched the lead when an A.J. DiBracco shot snuck between Svensson's pads, making it a 3-0 game after one period.

During the intermission the Yellowjackets made a goalie switch, with A.J. Smith (Keller, Texas/Southlake Carroll) replacing Svensson, and also made some adjustments to their attack. The adjustments paid dividends as the Yellowjackets started generating offense and getting chances, but every time they built momentum the Yellowjackets would take a penalty and be forced to the kill.

With time running down in the second period the Yellowjackets finally broke through. Freshman Levi Cudmore (Park River, N.D./Park River) scored his first collegiate goal, converting on a shot from between the circles to pull the Yellowjackets to within 3-1. Cudmore's unassisted effort came with 4:07 to go in the second.

The third period brought more penalties, and with them power play chances each way, with each team converting. Tommy Stang scored on an easy tap in at 10:55 to restore the three-goal lead. The Yellowjackets would answer a short time later when Troy York (Plano, Texas/West) scored with the man advantage, having his first shot blocked but scoring on the second to make it 4-2. For York it was his team-leading ninth goal of the year.

Any hopes the Yellowjackets had for a rally were extinguished when they took three penalties in the closing minutes, giving them 13 for the game. Saint Mary's won the special teams battle, going 2-for-7 on the power play, while the Yellowjackets went 1-for-6.

Svensson gave up three goals on nine shots in the first period and is tagged with the loss. His record for the year is now 0-2-0. Smith made 21 saves on 22 shots in 40 minutes of relief work.

Up Next: The Yellowjackets (4-8-2, 0-1-1 W.I.A.C.) are now off until December 29 when they host Trinity College in the first game of the Second Annual Superior Showdown. Game time from Wessman Arena is set for 7:05 p.m.