Men's hockey splits against Steven's Point

12/7/2009
By Joe Stark
Sports Editor

University of Wisconsin - Superior men’s hockey team skated to a 6-5 victory and a 2-1 loss this weekend at UW-Stevens Point’s K.B. Willet Arena to earn a split in the weekend series against the Pointers.

Game one was a high scoring affair, with UWS starting off the scoring in the first period with goals from senior Logan Isley and junior Talon Berlando to take an early 2-0 lead.  

Stevens Point added their first of four straight goals late in the first period, and UWS took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

The Pointers added two more goals in the second period and took a 3-2 lead into the third.

Stevens Point then added their fourth straight goal 1:46 into the third period, taking a commanding two-goal lead. 

UWS came charging back to tie the game at 4 on two goals by freshman Justin Farnya.  

The Pointer’s Sam Graham took the lead back on a goal with 6:30 left in the game.  A minute later, Berlando lit the lamp for the second time and tied the game back up at 5.

A late tripping penalty by Stevens Point came back to hurt them, as senior defenseman Brian Bina scored a game winning power play goal with 50 seconds left, giving the ‘Jackets the 6-5 win.

Although he gave up five goals in the game, freshman net minder Garrett Tinkham stopped 31 of the Pointer’s shots to get his third win of the year. 

Farnya lead UWS with two goals and a helper, and five other ‘Jackets had two or more points, including Berlando with two goals and senior Braden Desmet with two assists.  

Freshman Chad Blanleil recorded three assists, and Bina and Isley added a goal and an assist each. 

Game two was a complete opposite of Friday night’s game, with only three goals being scored.  Stevens Point scored both of their goals in the first period and took a 2-0 lead into the second period.  

UWS added a goal late in the second period, with Desmet setting up junior Chris Wilson for his seventh goal of the year.

Pointer goaltender Thomas Speer proved to be too much for UWS, stopping 30 of 31 Yellowjacket shots for a stellar performance and earning Stevens Point’s first conference victory.

This split brings the ‘Jackets’ record to 7-3-1 overall and 2-3-1 in NCHA play.  They will try to bring back a couple of wins next weekend when they travel to Duluth, MN to take on their cross bridge rival St. Scholastica, which will be a huge NCHA series.