Men's hockey team swept by rival St. Scholastica

12/14/2009
By Joe Stark
Sports Editor

The University of Wisconsin - Superior men’s hockey team needed a couple of wins this weekend against rival St. Scholastica to keep pace in the NCHA, but they couldn’t even muster up a split, losing both games by scores of 6-3 and 3-0.

In game one, UWS got off to a bad start as freshman goaltender Garrett Tinkham allowed three goals in the first 6:13 of the game and was pulled in favor of sophomore Bryan Dalbec. The Saints scored another goal in the first, taking a commanding 4-0 lead into the first intermission.

UWS finally got on the board in the second period on a goal by freshman Josh Kesler, but still found itself down by three goals going into the third period.  

St. Scholastica scored two more goals in the third period, taking a 6-1 lead. UWS rallied late in the period with goals by senior Tyler Fletcher and junior Talon Berlando, but it was too little too late for the ‘Jackets, and they fell by a score of 6-3.

Dalbec played strongly in net for the rest of the game, stopping 28 shots and allowing only three goals. Tinkham, however, was given the loss.

Although UWS was outshot 40-21 by the Saints, three Yellowjackets had two points.  Kesler and Berlando notched a goal and an assist each, and freshman Casey Dion added two helpers as well. 

Game two was a different story for the Yellowjackets.  It was the first time they have been shut out since last year’s NCAA quarterfinal against Gustavus Adolphus, which ended their season.

Although UWS outshot St. Scholastica 29-18, they just couldn’t put one past Saints’ netminder Brennan Poderzay, who was up to the task of stopping every shot he faced.

Dalbec got the start in net for the ‘Jackets and stopped 15 of the 18 shots he faced in the game.

This brings the Yellowjackets’ record to 7-5-1 (2-5-1 NCHA), which will more than likely drop them from the National Top 15 poll, and ties them with UW-Eau Claire for last place in the NCHA.  

However, they will have almost a month to rebound from these losses, as their next games are not until January 8 and 9 when they travel to the Twin Cities to take on Bethel University and Hamline University. These will be important in gaining momentum before starting Conference play back up on January 15 against UW-Stout.