Yellowjackets swept out of NCHA playoffs by Saints

DULUTH — The season ended early for the University of Wisconsin-Superior men’s hockey team with a 2-1 loss to the College of St. Scholastica Saints Saturday night before a 1,018 at Mars Lakeview Arena crowd of 1,018.

Saturday’s loss, coupled with Friday’s 4-2 defeat, marks the second straight time, and third time in four years, that the Yellowjackets were knocked out of the Peters Cup Playoffs in the first round.

While UWS ends its season with an overall record of 11-14-2, the Saints will take a record of 13-13-1 into the semifinals of the playoffs and play Saturday at St. Norbert. The other semifinal game is UW-River Falls at UW-Eau Claire.

Needing a win and then a mini-game victory on Saturday, UWS found itself trailing CSS 2-0 after two periods.

The ‘Jackets controlled play for most of the third period, outshooting the Saints 10-5, but goaltender Colin Rundell was stellar between the pipes with 10 saves, including when he stacked his pads for a save when a UWS player had a shot at an open net.

Rundell also had some help, including when Superior’s Brett Wold hit the right post 40 seconds into the third period.

UWS made it a 2-1 game with 14:01 remaining when Michael Rey beat Rundell with a slap shot from the left circle. The goal wasn’t immediately allowed, but after a brief meeting between the refs, Rey’s goal was ruled official. Joey Massingham and Brett Wold were credited with assists on Ray’s blast that went in off Rundell’s pads.

The ‘Jackets pulled their goalie with 1:06 remaining, but even with the extra skater they were unable to tie the game up.

Brandon Nowakowski scored for the Saints in the first period and Tyler Miller scored in the second.

St. Scholastica took a 3-0 lead on Friday night before hanging on for a 4-2 win.

The Saints received a goal from B. Nowakowski in the first period and two power-play tallies from Paul Marcoux and Miller in the second to hold a 3-0 lead heading into the third.

But UWS climbed back into the game via a power-play goal from Jeff Forsythe and an even-strength score from Rey. Garet Chumley then put the game away at 19:18 of the period.

Strandberg made 24 saves for UWS, while Rundell stopped 32 shots for CSS.

‘JACKET JOTTINGS: UWS played Saturday’s game without leading scorer Pat Dalbec, who left Friday’s game after being checked from behind. … Friday’s victory snapped a six-game winless streak for the Saints against UWS at Mars Lakeview Arena. … The Saints (13-13-1) are .500 for the first time since the second game of the season. … Four seniors played their final games for UWS, Kyle Leahy, Josh Kesler, Ryan Hill and Chad Blanleil. Derek Stauber is also a senior, but was out with an injury.

Saturday’s Game

UW-Superior 0-0-1—1

St. Scholastica 1-1-0—2

First Period: 1. CSS, Brandon Nowakowski 17 (Dylan Nowakowski 18, Paul Marcoux 11 ), 14:14.

Second Period: 2. CSS, Tyler Miller 10 (Brett Corcoran 17, Brenden Kotyk 12), 16:11.

Third Period: 3. UWS Michael Ray 3 (Joey Massingham 14, Brett Wold 10), 15:59 (pp).

Saves: Drew Strandberg, UWS, 9-10-4—23. Colin Rundell, CSS, 10-10-10—26. Penalties: UWS. 2-4:00. CSS, 3-6:00. Power plays: UWS, 1-for-3. CSS, 0-for-2. Att: 1,018.

Friday’s Game

UW-Superior 0-0-2—2

St. Scholastica 1-2-1—4

First Period: 1. CSS, B. Nowakowski 16 (Paul Marcoux 10, Eric Kraft 4), 5:50.

Second Period: 2. CSS, Marcoux 7 (Dylan Nowakowski 17), 11:33 (pp). 3. CSS, Miller 9 (Kotyk 11, Corcoran 16), 14:451.

Third Period: 4. UWS, Jeff Forsythe 6 (Rey 2, Cody Hotchkin 4), 13:03 (pp). 5. UWS, Rey 2 (Josh Kesler 4), 15:26. 6. CSS, Garet Chumley 3, 19:18.

Saves: Strandberg, UWS, 12-6-6—24. Rundell, CSS, 7-11-14—32. Power Plays: UWS, 1-for-5. CSS, 2-for-4. Penalties: UWS, 3-17:00. CSS, 4-11:00. Att: 750.

Tags: sports, hockey, uws, yellowjackets, updates