'JACKETS BLANK FALCONS

Two things happened on Saturday night that hadn't happened in a long time - since 2003 to be exact.  First the 'Jackets won a game at W.H. Hunt Arena.  That hadn't happened since January 31, 2003.  The win allowed the 'Jackets to sweep a road trip through Stout and River Falls, again something that hadn't happened since that same January weekend in 2003. The 'Jackets employed a balanced attack and carried the play for the majority of the game as they blanked UW-River Falls 3-0 on Saturday, improving to 7-1-0 on the year and 2-0-0 in the NCHA.  The Falcons, who have struggled mightily in the early going of 2008-09, fall to 1-4-1 and 1-1-0 in the NCHA. The victory stretched the Yellowjackets' winning streak to five games.  But it wasn't entirely easy. The 'Jackets were forced to play shorthanded early...very early, as Brian Bina (Jr. Grand Forks, North Dakota) was whistled for a penalty just eight seconds into the game.  However, the once vaunted River Falls power play, something they've always been known for, continued its season-long struggle and wasn't able to capitalize early.  The 'Jackets used the momentum gained from the penalty kill to take a lead they would never give up. Eric Bausano (Sr. Laurium, Michigan) stole the puck from a Falcon outside the blue line, carried into the zone and let a shot go from the right circle that eluded goaltender Stephen Ritter to make it 1-0. Ritter got a piece of it, but the puck snuck between his pads and ended up in the net.  The unassisted goal came at 7:11.  The 'Jackets made it 2-0 when Chris Wilson (Jr. Prince Albert, Saskatchewan) deflected shot from the point past Ritter at 16:18.  There was some controversy as to whether or not the puck was played with a high stick by Wilson, but the goal stood.  Jeff Herman (Sr. Cranbrook, British Columbia) took the shot from the point and got an assist, as did Logan Isley (So. Bonnyville, Alberta).  A third period power play goal allowed the 'Jackets to stretch the lead and gave them some late insurance.  Braden Desmet (Jr. Strathmore, Alberta) took a shot from the left circle that was stopped by Ritter.  He followed the puck to the net and poked his own rebound home to make it 3-0 at 9:23.  Kent Detlefsen (Fr. Lakeville, Minnesota) and Seth Reda (Sr. Palmer, Alaska) assisted.  The third goal took the wind out of the sails of the Falcons, who looked like a defeated team the rest of the way.  They weren't able to generate any offense in the third, getting outshot 15-3 by the Yellowjackets in the period, and 26-20 in the game.  Chad Beiswenger (Sr. Moorhead, Minnesota) made 20 saves to pick up his second shutout of the season, and the 11th shutout of his career.  Ritter finished the game with 23 saves. The 'Jackets took five penalties for ten minutes, while the Falcons took seven for 14 minutes.  The 'Jackets were 1-7 on the power play and a perfect 5-5 on the penalty kill. The 'Jackets return home on Friday, November 21 to take on Lake Forest.  Game time on Friday 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.