'Jackets Win 3-1

'JACKETS SCORE BIG ROAD WIN

The NCHA season finally got underway Friday night, and the 'Jackets found themselves in a tough spot. They were forced to open the league season against UW-Stout, a team that they scored a whopping two goals against a year ago. Luckily for them, they didn't allow any goals and swept the season series. On top of that, they found themselves on the road, playing in a building that has traditionally been tough on them, Menomonie's Dunn County Arena.

Not to worry. This version of the Yellowjacket men's hockey team seems to have a different attitude when it comes to these things. In other words, things just don't bother them. Cold rink? Hostile environment? Delayed start to the game? No bother.

After falling behind 1-0 midway through the first period, the 'Jackets scored three unanswered goals, coming from behind to knock off UW-Stout 3-1 before a standing room only crowd. The win gives the 'Jackets (6-1-0, 1-0-0 NCHA) a big first win in the NCHA season and sees the team continue its consistent and sometimes dominant play.

The Zamboni at Dunn County Arena broke down, forcing the game to get underway 20 minutes later than scheduled. When the game finally got going, the 'Jackets got two early power plays but were unable to capitalize. The Blue Devils were a bit luckier. On their first power play, national scoring leader Nick Klaren set up national goals leader Derek Hanson for his ninth goal of the season at 9:48 to make it 1-0. But that was it for the nation's eighth ranked offense, and the 'Jackets took care of things the rest of the way.

Logan Isley (So. Bonnyville, Alberta) tied the game a few minutes later, tipping home a centering feed from Chris Wilson (Jr. Prince Albert, Saskatchewan) to make it 1-1. The 'Jackets took the lead for good at 9:04 of the second period. Wilson, who had his season-long scoring streak snapped last Saturday against Augsburg, took a few strides inside the Stout blue line and let a wrister go that beat Matt Koenig high on the glove side to make it 2-1. The eventual game-winning goal was assisted by Isley and Art Clark (Jr. Bloomington, Minnesota). The 'Jackets closed out the scoring with a very important insurance goal at 8:21 of the third period. While on the power play, Clark got the puck at the right point and let a shot go that was stopped by Koenig. Talon Berlando (So. Drumheller, Alberta) got the rebound and let a shot go that was also stopped. The second rebound found its way to Isley who was parked off the left post, and tapped his second goal of the game into the net to provide the final 3-1 margin.

The 'Jackets showed a forecheck in the game that hasn't been seen in years. Coming at the Stout defense in waves, all four lines of forwards spent extended periods in the offensive zone, grinding down the clock and creating scoring opportunities. The Blue Devils, due to the 'Jackets stifling attack, weren't able to muster much of anything five-on-five. The majority of their offense was created while on the power play. When they did have a chance, Chad Beiswenger (Sr. Moorhead, Minnesota) was there to close the door. Beiswenger, in arguably his best performance of the season, finished with 28 saves. Koenig finished with 31 saves for the Blue Devils.

The 'Jackets were penalized nine times for 18 minutes, while Stout was called for eight penalties, totaling 16 minutes. Stout went 1-6 on the power play, while the 'Jackets are 1-5.

The 'Jackets look to stretch their winning streak to five games on Saturday night, when they travel to W.H. Hunt Arena to take on the Falcons of UW-River Falls. The Falcons (1-3-1, 1-0-0) got their first win of the season Friday night, 6-3 over St. Scholastica. Game time on Saturday night is 7:05 p.m., with the pre-game show getting underway at 6:45 p.m. You can listen to the game live locally on KUWS 91.3 FM. If you are outside the local listening area, you can tune in via the Internet at www.kuws.fm. Jon Garver will have the call.