ASHLAND, Wis. - Hello, Yellowjacket men's hockey - it's good to see you again.
 
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced itself into every part of our lives, and in the sports world, that has meant truncated seasons, from the professionals down to the youth ranks and everywhere in between. The last time the Yellowjacket men's hockey team played a game against outside competition was February 29, 2020, or 333 days ago. So it didn't matter that Wednesday's contest at Northland was of the exhibition variety and wouldn't count. The players and coaching staff were chomping at the bit to get back to playing against someone beside their own team.
 
And like any team that had been off for nearly a year, there was some rust that needed to be knocked off. The 'Jackets carried the play for stretches, but ultimately need a pair of late goals to pull away and earn a 3-0 win at the Bay Area Civic Center.
 
Special teams took center stage early, as the Yellowjackets had three power play chances, including an extended five-on-three. A unit that functioned at a rate of 17.9 percent efficiency last season didn't notch a goal, but the skill and overall puck movement was on full display. Following the two-man advantage, the 'Jackets carried the momentum into the period's final minutes and finally broke through with 39 seconds left. Jordan Martin (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Vincent Massey Collegiate) got the puck in the left corner sent a pass from the wall to the slot where Dylan Johnson (Cloquet, Minn./Cloquet) caught the pass and shot all in one motion, beating Northland goaltender Chris Curr to make it 1-0. Pavel Mikhasenok (Yekaterinburg, Russia/Everest Academy) also picked up an assist on the play.
 
It stayed a one-goal game until late in the third period when the Yellowjackets got some breathing room. Following a stretch of four-on-four hockey, one that say the Yellowjackets carry the play offensively, Johnson notched his second of the game to make it 2-0. Charles Martin (Blainville, Quebec/École internationale Lucille-Teasdale) fed Mikhasenok in the right circle and his one-timer was stopped, but Johnson put home the rebound at 16:43.
 
Then just 21 seconds later the lead went to three. Lawson McDonald (Winkler, Manitoba/Northlands Parkway Collegiate) took a shot from the right circle that was broken up, but the carom went right to Levi Cudmore (Park River, N.D./Park River) between the circles and he buried it to make the final score 3-0. Ty Proffitt (Fairbanks, Alaska/Fairbanks BEST) also assisted.
 
Oscar Svensson (Södertälje, Sweden/Haga Gymnasium) got the start in goal and played the full 60 minutes, earning the shutout for the Yellowjackets.
 
The Yellowjackets will make their home debut Friday, January 29 when they host Northland in the second exhibition game between the two clubs. Game time at Wessman Arena is set for 7:05 p.m.
 
UW-Superior and Yellowjacket Athletics will follow the COVID-19 safety guidelines and protocols recommended by the Douglas County Health Department. To conduct our events in the safest manner possible, spectators will not be permitted at UW-Superior home athletic events. Fans can follow the Yellowjackets through our online content provider, the iFan Sports Network. Fans can also listen to contests live on the radio home of Yellowjacket sports, 91.3 KUWS.