GRAND FORKS, ND. —With a chance to clinch home-ice for the 16th straight season, and extend the nation’s longest active streak, North Dakota needed a three point win. But things did not go as planned for the Hawks who fell 4-3 in overtime after tying the game late.
Ryan Poehling had numerous breakaway opportunities all season long. He finally cashed-in by going between the legs and top shelf to net the game winner for St. Cloud State at the Ralph Engelstad Arena. A flat-footed game quickly turned to high emotions as North Dakota faced adversity with time dwindling.
“I probably had 15 breakaways this year and that was the third one I put on the back of the net,” SCSU forward Ryan Poehling said. “I also try to go with something different. That’s the only move that I can kind of consistently do so it was good to finally shake that off.”
Nick Jones had a clear-cut breakaway opportunity as he faced Hrenák for the potential first goal with nine seconds remaining in the firs period. After receiving the feed from his left, Jones cleared SCSU’s defensive line, beat Hreńk, but was denied by the cross bar. The puck went bar down and forced referees to review the initial call on the ice of no goal. The call was maintained. The puck never crossed the goal line before the play was whistled dead.
North Dakota outshot St. Cloud State 15-7 in the first period to take the lead over the shot column. The better of the first belonged to UND and their efficient back checking efforts. Jimmy Schuldt, leader in points by a defensemen for the Huskies, saw considerable ice time.
“I thought it was a great effort with intensity,” North Dakota Head Coach Brad Berry said. “Effort good enough to win but we’re on our way to lose and it’s been a common theme for a few games this year and we got to move forward now. ”
With the clock winding down, a crucial power play was assessed on Blake Lizotte. The hooking call would put UND on the man advantage for two minutes and for the remainder of the second period. Christian Wolanin made the game 2-2 at 19:56 after the Fighting Hawks won the draw. Wolanin hesitated to shoot but opted for the wrister from ontop of the right faceoff circle, squeezing the puck through traffic and converting for the tie.
The Huskies sprung to life in the second, though, rallying and tying the game themselves. Jimmy Schuldt made a great effort to keep a power play alive by effectively pinching on the play. Schuldt dumped the puck and started the cycle that would end up right back on his tape for a one-timer to take the lead 2-1 at 17:19 of the second stanza.
Jon Lizotte got on the board for St. Cloud (2-1) in order to tie the game and give SCSU its first tally. A broken play resulted in fortune when J. Lizotte finished the play going five-hole.
