Hamline Shuts-out UWS

NSO – NEWS RELEASE

Hamline 2, Yellowjackets 0

When the Yellowjacket men’s hockey team took the ice on Friday night, they played a dominant first period and came out of the frame down by a pair of goals. They never recovered and ultimately lost the game 5-2.

Saturday, something similar happened. In the early stages of the second period, with the teams locked in a scoreless tie, the Yellowjackets had numerous scoring chances, but once again came away empty handed. Moments later Hamline got on the board, and again the Yellowjackets couldn’t recover.

Hamline scored once in each of the second and third periods, shutting out the Yellowjackets 2-0 Saturday night at Wessman Arena.

The loss is the fourth in a row for the reeling Yellowjackets.

After a scoreless first period the Yellowjackets owned the Pipers in the opening five mintues of the second period. Several scoring chances, including three in one shift from freshman Luke Karakas (Green Bay, Wis./East) who was making his collegiate debut, had the home crowd thinking it was just a matter of time before the Yellowjackets got on the board. But ultimately it was the Pipers who drew first blood.

At 6:29 of the period Brandon Reinholz blasted a shot from the high slot that Yellowjacket goaltender Bryce Fink (Tacoma, Wash./Keystone) got a piece of, but the freshman couldn’t hold on and the puck snuck between his left arm and his body and rolled across the goal line, giving Reinholz his third of the season and Hamline a 1-0 lead.

Entering the third period the Yellowjackets again came out and played with a purpose, but every opportunity was thwarted by Hamline goaltender John Sellie-Hanson. At 3:44 the Yellowjackets got their first power play of the night but they were unable to capitalize.

Nine seconds after the power play expired Brandon Zurn intercepted a pass at the Hamline line and took off for the Yellowjacket goal. He was taken down on the play and awarded a penalty shot. On the penalty shot he veered slightly to his left before squaring up and firing a shot destined for the opening between Fink’s pads, but Fink closed the opening and turned the shot away to keep the Yellowjackets within one.

Moments later the Yellowjackets received their second power play of the night, but again, Sellie-Hanson made sure the shutout stayed intact.

Late in the period Zurn intercepted a Yellowjacket clearing pass and this time he made no mistake, letting a shot go from the left circle that beat Fink on the glove side, giving Hamline an important insurance goal. His second of the year gave Hamline a 2-0 edge.

Sellie-Hanson was solid in goal for Hamline, and he earned the win in goal with a 34-save, shutout performance. At the other end, Fink, in his second start of the season, turned away 21 Hamline shots. His record falls to 1-1-0 on the year.

The Yellowjackets were scoreless on two power play chances, and a perfect 3-of-3 on the penalty kill. They have now killed off 17 straight shorthanded situations.

Next up for the Yellowjackets (2-4-0, 0-0-0 WIAC) is a non-conference meeting with Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. Game time Friday, November 21 is set for 7:00 p.m. and can be heard live locally on 91.3 FM in Superior. If you are outside the local listening area  you can tune in online through the iFan Sports Network. Jon Garver will have the call.