ST. CLOUD, Minn.—Playing behind the goalie’s net and cycling the puck along the boards is common in hockey. But to do it effectively is what distinguished St. Cloud State from Colorado College as the Huskies skated to a 6-1 win at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center tonight.
Six different Huskies found the back of the net and Jimmy Schuldt had two helpers in the winning effort. Huskies goalie Jeff Smith got the starting bid and posted 21 saves to back the triumph and hand Colorado College their worst defeat of the season.
“We had a hard week this week and we had to go back to work,” said SCSU Head Coach Bob Motzko. “I’ll give our guys credit, all four lines I think scored. We have it so spread out right now, the scoring, that it’s kind of the identity of this team.”
Blake Lizotte made the score 6-1 at 12:01 of the third period and equaled the Huskies’ highest scoring game since the 6-3 win over the University of Alaska Fairbanks on Oct. 13. Easton Brodzinski swiftly skated the wrap around and centered the puck for a Robby Jackson goal right as the third period opened to complete five unanswered goals. It was another timely insurance goal prior to Westin Michaud’s honorable tally for Colorado College at 3:37 of the period to make it 5-1.
“First shift in the third period was great,” said Motzko on Jackson’s line. “I made a line change a couple shifts into the game and it worked out for us. That line looked really well for us and it’s a lesson on how to be ready to play.
The Tigers were held to just five shots in the second period and this was largely due to the Huskies’ aggressive back check. Unlike SCSU’s Smith, Calvaruso sustained a high percentage of shots in the frame, 22, but ultimately broke when at 14:16 Blake Winiecki beat him near side from in the slot to make it 4-0.
Colorado College goalie Alex Leclerc was pulled after conceding three goals in a frame that the Huskies, until then, were struggling to find their stride. Alec Calvaruso came in as a relief for his first taste of collegiate hockey.
The Huskies were able to do a couple things right through the first period but the key to their success was found in the way they were able to move the puck in front of net minder Leclerc. Getting Leclerc to uncomfortably move laterally in his effort to track the puck enabled two goals in 19 seconds for the Huskies.
“We loaded back on top very well tonight and we kept the puck in good areas where we can fight for them,” said Motzko. “We had all four lines going so there was a concerted effort by all groups to wear the other team down and play with depth.”
At 14:01 of the first, Will Borgen scored his first goal of the season to make the margin 3-0. First and second assists are credited to Blake Lizotte and Jacob Benson. Shortly prior on an outnumbered rush, speed in the neutral zone along with puck movement in front of the net was capitalized to notch Patrick Newell’s first of the season as well.
With his second goal of the season at 6:45, Brodzinski put home an opportunistic rebound that came from behind the net and met his stick to open the scoring. Ryan Poehling and Jimmy Schuldt assisted in the play as they worked the cycle down low to generating the scoring play—effectively setting the trend for the evenings match.
NCHC Roundup:
No. 3 North Dakota 5, No. 1 Denver 4
North Dakota was tasked with containing Denver’s big three of Dylan Gambrell, Troy Terry and Henrik Borgstrom. Certainly UND did not want to play from behind against the No. 1 team but their victory was not possible without a rally. The Pioneers scored three unanswered goals courtesy of Jake Durflinger and Jarid Lukosevicius in the first and Logan O’Connor’s shorthanded goal at 6:07 of the second frame. The marquee matchup did not disappoint and neither did the 2016 champions UND who then scored four straight goals to take the lead by 5:59 of the third on Christian Wolanin’s power play goal.
No. 14 Minnesota-Duluth, Miami 1
In what was a high penalty game, Minnesota-Duluth was triumphant at the Steve Cady Arena before a crowd of 2,348. Jared Thomas scored the opener even strength at 14:33 of the first period and winner on the power play at 14:51 of the third period. Despite the number of penalties, each team only capitalized once. The only goal for Miami came by way of power play at 3:46 of the second period thanks to Carson Meyer. Miami standout Louie Belpedio was held from scoring but registered a helper in this goal. Hunter Shepard made 28 saves but was not tested in the second period.
Omaha 1, No. 15 Western Michigan 4
Western Michigan scored 4 unanswered goals before Omaha got on the board in the third period. Omaha goalie Evan Weninger was pulled in the third period and relieved by Kris Oldham. Paul Washe, Colt Conrad, and Hugh McGing scored the first three before Dawson DiPietro’s unassisted goal at 6:51 of the third period. Teemu Pulkkinen had the lone goal for Omaha at 19:08 of the third period.
