Box Score

The 11th nationally ranked UW-River Falls men's hockey team tied the 13th Gustavus Adolphus College Gusties, 2-2, on Friday evening at Hunt Arena.
 
The Falcons and Gusties scored four third period goals to send the contest into a thrilling back-and-forth overtime. Falcons sophomore goaltender Tanner Milliron (4-2-3) made 24 strong saves in 65 minutes of play. Tonight's game was the last non-conference game of the season for UW-River Falls, as they finish the season with four straight meaningful WIAC matchups. They are currently in first place. Gustavus Adolphus, meanwhile, is first place in the MIAC.
 
Milliron needed to make three difficult early saves on the Gusties forwards. The first stop was a pad save on sophomore forward Gavin Tufte, who tried to go five-hole, but Milliron closed his pads. Milliron then made a sprawling left pad stop on senior forward Gustav Bengtson on a wraparound try. Freshman forward Tony Paulson also had a good opportunity as he soared into the zone from the right boards; Million made the save with his chest.
 
Falcons senior forward Alec Hagaman had the first scoring chance of the game for UW-River Falls on a rebound. The Gusties 6'8" sophomore goaltender John McLean (12-3-4) made the butterfly save. Hagaman was penalized for a slash a dozen seconds later. The Falcon penalty kill brought momentum as UW-River Falls began taking the body and getting shots at the net.
 
An Andrew Paras wrist-shot narrowly missed the crossbar as it was redirected over the top of the net. Tonight was Paras' third career outing for UW-River Falls; he looked quite comfortable on the blue line.
 
Falcons freshman center Christian George had the period's best chance as freshman forward Cory Lushanko ducked under a defender and fed George in front for a one-timer. But, McLean's large frame kicked the puck into the corner. Seconds later, Falcons senior captain defenseman Jon Schreiner sent a quick wrist-shot from the point that made its way behind McLean, but a Gusties defenseman cleared the loose puck.
 
Gusties senior forward Adam Smyth had a late breakaway opportunity, but Milliron held his ground. Smyth did not get much on the initial shot because Falcons freshman defenseman Michael Lant got a hold of Smyth's stick; he was called for holding. In today's NHL, a penalty shot would have been awarded.
 
First period shots on goal were 6-6, with the Gusties going 0-2 on the power play. The Gusties blocked seven Falcon shots in the first period alone. There were only a handful of whistles in the first 16 minutes of the period. The pace was very fast as both teams showed very good hustle.
 
Falcons junior forward Blake Huppert had the second period's first opportunity on a redirection off a Jeff Burke point shot; McLean had to make a terrific low glove save.
 
The Falcons sustained heavy pressure through the first seven minutes of the period. McLean flashed the leather on an outstanding sprawling glove save on freshman center Mitch Kontny 4:30 into the second. Kontny found a loose rebound and slapped it low glove side, but McLean made a wall.
 
Milliron flashed some leather of his own on a Tutfe slap-shot on an early 1-on-1 opportunity. He later made a daring poke-check on a loose puck in the slot that broke up a potential 2-on-0 for Gustavus Adolphus.
 
Freshman forward Ryan Doner and junior forward Willie Hess setup a pretty opportunity for Doner midway through the period. Hess fed Doner in transition, who stickhandled through two defenders but his backhand chance went just wide of the far post. The play was as pretty as they come, but Doner just could not finish.
 
George and Lushanko had a late 2-on-1 shorthanded rush, but failed to register a shot due to a slash on George's stick. The play did draw a rare power play opportunity.
 
Gusties senior defenseman Alex Gallen nearly broke the 0-0 tie with 40 seconds left in the period. Milliron made a very nice pad save through traffic on the wrist-shot from the slot.
 
The Falcons nearly walked out of the second with a 1-0 lead after George had a point-blank opportunity at the side of net with 15 seconds left in the period, but McLean stayed sharp, kicking the puck into the corner with his left pad.
 
Second period shots on goal were 10-9, in favor of UW-River Falls. The first two periods yielding no goals, but not for a lack of scoring opportunities. Ten Falcon shots missed the net in the second period.
 
Bengtson broke the scoreless tie just 55 seconds into the third period on a shot from a difficult angle. Bengtson skated down the left boards and seemed to catch Milliron off guard, sliding across the crease, as the puck beat him low blocker side. The goal was assisted by freshman defenseman Drew Aspinwall. Bengtson's goal was his sixth of the season.
 
The Falcons wasted very little time tying the contest. George scored an unassisted shorthanded goal at 3:51 of the third period. McLean made an odd clearing attempt that George intercepted and wristed behind the glove of McLean. The shorthanded goal was Gustavus Adolphus' first allowed of the season, and George's third goal of the season.
 
The Falcons still had to kill the rest of the penalty and Milliron made sure of that. He made a very strong save in the slot on junior forward Andy Pearson.
 
Lant put the Falcons in the lead for the first time of the night at 6:23 when his wrist-shot through traffic slipped by McLean. The puck certainly hit bodies on its way to the net with both Riley Borer and Hagaman screening. The assist was credited to junior center Tom DeBace, his second of the season. The goal was Lant's first of his career in a red and white uniform.
 
Gusties junior defenseman Nate Paulsen tied the contest with 5:01 left in regulation on a slap-shot that beat Milliron blocker side. Paulsen came streaking into the Falcon zone and wasted little time slapping it home. The lone assist went to senior captain forward Corey Leivermann. Paulson's goal was his fifth of the season.
 
Milliron had to stay on his toes as the Gusties kept coming at him. With 2:30 left in the third, Smyth fired a rocket that nearly snuck through Milliron's equipment.
 
Gustavus Adolphus outshot the Falcons 10-6 in the third, and 25-22 through three periods.
 
Kontny had the best two chances of overtime. The first was a wrist-shot from top of circle, the second was a point-blank shot from the slot that McLean kicked aside with 40 seconds left in overtime.
 
UW-River Falls finished 0-3 on the power play, while Gustavus Adolphus went 0-5. Final shots on goal were 26-25, in favor of the Gusties.
 
UW-River Falls is now 12-6-3 overall, 4-2-3 at home and 3-5-2 in their last 10. Gustavus Adolphus is 13-4-4 and 6-1-2 on the road.
 
The Falcons host the University of Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils (6-13) next Friday and Saturday at Hunt Arena in River Falls, Wis. The Falcons are 1-0 this season against UW-Stout.

Box Score