UWS Falls to St. Johns

NSO – NEWS RELEASE

St. John’s 2, Yellowjackets 1

Offense was not an issue for the Yellowjacket men’s hockey team on opening weekend. For a team that struggled throughout 2013-14 to score goals, the 12 that the Yellowjackets netted against Aurora University was a refreshing change. Thursday night, however, goals were at more of a premium as the Yellowjackets faced a St. John’s team that ranks as one of the top clubs in the MIAC.

Despite outshooting the Johnnies and controlling play in the third period, they were only able to put one puck past goaltender Seth Soley, and for the first time this season they came out on the losing end, falling 2-1 in front of a sparse crowd at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud.

The Johnnies jumped on the board first at 7:43 of the first period. After winning a faceoff in the Yellowjacket zone, Joe Freemark had his shot blocked, but the rebound ended up on the sitck of Neal Smith who slid his third of the season home to give St. John’s the 1-0 lead.

Early in the second period the Yellowjackets tied the game. On the play Owen Stauber (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown) took a shot from the blue line that was stopped, but finding the rebound was freshman Jake Johnson (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie) and he made no mistake, putting the puck past Soley for his third of the year to draw the Yellowjackets even. Johnson has scored a goal in each of the three games this season.

St. John’s regained the lead before the second period concluded, however. After the Yellowjackets killed off a Tom Paine penalty, the Johnnies maintained pressure in the offensive zone. Freemark again took a shot from the point that was stopped, and this time Kevin Becker picked up the rebound and lifted a backhand into the net for his first goal of the season, and the Johnnies were back in front, 2-1, with 5:59 to play in the period.

The score stayed that way even though the Yellowjackets continued to push the play in the third. Late in the frame Jordan Shockley (Duluth, Minn./Marshall School) nearly tied the game, but his shot from the left circle found nothing but the crossbar.

In the waning minutes the Yellowjackets pulled goaltender Zach Thompson (Duluth, Minn./Denfeld) for the extra attacker and had opportunities, but they were not able to solve Soley again.

Soley finished the game with 33 saves, including 14 in the third period. For the year he has stopped 65 of 66 shots faced. His record improved to 1-0-1 on the year. Thompson, meanwhile, was solid in goal for the Yellowjackets, stopping 25 of 27 shots. He is 1-1-0 for the season.

The Yellowjackets took just two penalties for four minutes and were perfect on the penalty kill. St. John’s meanwhile, was whistled for four penalties in the game totaling eight minutes. The Yellowjackets were 0-of-4 on the power play. After scoring on their first two power play chances of the season, the Yellowjackets are no scoreless in their last 12 opportunities.

After taking Friday off the Yellowjackets will return to action Saturday, November 8 when they travel to Moorhead, Minnesota for a meeting with Concordia College. Game time is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. The game can be heard on a delayed broadcast on 91.3 FM in Superior beginning at 5:00 p.m. Jon Garver will have the call