The Falcons dropped UW-Superior by a score of 4-1 to remain undefeated on the season.
The Falcons entered Friday night’s matchup at Wessman Arena with a 6-0-2 record behind sophomore goaltender
Scott Lewan (Westland, MI, Alberni Valley, BCHL). In just his second season with the Falcons, Lewan has established himself as not only the starting goaltender of his team but one of the most electrifying young keepers in the NCHA.
Representing the Yellowjackets of UW- Superior in net was goaltender Drew Strandberg.
Entering the matchup the Falcons were ranked #4 in the nation according to the most recent USCHO poll. The game was also the first away game of the season, as the Falcons started the season off with an eight game home stand.
The first period remained scoreless thanks to a stellar performance by the Falcon defense. The Falcons were cited for three penalties in the period and received no power play chances of their own. The penalty unit came up strong however and killed all of the Yellowjacket’s offensive opportunities.
The Falcons were outshot by Superior 7-3 in the period, as the Falcons played a very defensive and conservative first 20 minutes.
UW- Superior lit up the scoreboard for the first time of the evening just ten seconds into the opening of the first period. Scoring in front of the home crowd of 652 at Wessman Arena was Pat Dablec, with an assist from Kyle Leahy.
The Falcons responded with a score of their own at 11:14 behind their captain,
Jason Yuel (Winnipeg, MAN, Prince George, BCHL). The goal was Yuels third of the season and he was assisted by
Geoff Shewmake (Chicago, IL, Bradford, GMHL) and
Jon Schreiner (Lakeville, MN, Fairbanks, NAHL).
UWRF took a lead that they would not relinquish on the stick of the impressive freshman forward,
Jake Calleja (New Richmond, WI, Wisconsin, MnJHL), at 15:55. The younger brother of
Josh Calleja (New Richmond, Wisconsin, MnJHL), one of the two seniors on the Falcons roster last season, has made an immediate impact and has proven that he can be just as dangerous on offense as his sibling. Calleja was assisted by
Blake Huppert (Wasilla, AL, Alaska, NAHL) on the score.
Lewan recorded 7 saves in the period to Strandberg’s 5.
The leader in points scored this season
Justin Brossman (Littleton, CO, Sioux City, USHL) would add another goal to his resume at 18:01 in the third period. The goal came on a power play chance after Brad Phenow was sent to the penalty box on a crucial holding call. Assisting Brossman on the score was
Adam Cardwell (Long Beach, CA, Wichita Falls, NAHL).
Following the Falcons score, the Yellowjackets pulled Strandberg from the net to give them an extra forward on the ice. The effort was unsuccessful, as the Falcons obtained possession of the puck and
Alec Hagaman (Peoria, IL, Topeka, NAHL) sunk a shot on the empty net at 19:34. Shewmake and Yuel were granted assists on the score.
With the victory, the Falcons are 7-0-2 on the season, having only succumbed to back-to-back ties against UW- Stevens Point and St. Norbert College respectively.
The #4 Falcons will be facing off against the Yellowjackets again tomorrow night at Wessman Arena. The puck is set to drop at 7:00 p.m.
Box Score