'Jackets Win 4-3

'JACKETS KNOCK OFF ST. NORBERT

A hockey season is nothing more than a series of tests. For the Yellowjackets, this season, there have been many. It was a test to see if they were going to get off to a good start following the disappointing end to last season. They passed. Last weekend, it was a test to see if the 'Jackets could win two road games in two buildings where they traditionally haven't played well. They passed. Saturday's game with St. Norbert was a test; a test to see if the 'Jackets truly are for real, or nothing more than a team that will compete in the west while St. Norbert sits alone at the top. They again passed the test, and yes, they are for real in 2008-09.

Chris Wilson's (Jr. Prince Albert, Saskatchewan) goal at 5:56 of the third period gave the 'Jackets the final lead of the game, and they went on to a 4-3 win at Wessman Arena.

St. Norbert scored the only goal of the first period on a penalty shot. A.J. Gale got behind the Yellowjacket defense and he was hauled down by Jesse Junkermeier (So. Minnetonka, Minnesota) and was awarded a penalty shot. Gale skated in, made a quick fake and let a forehand go that beat Chad Beiswenger (Sr. Moorhead, Minnesota) on the stick side to make it 1-0.

The 'Jackets tied the game near the game's halfway point. While on a five-minute power play (the Green Knights had their own five-minute power play in the first period), Braden Desmet (Jr. Strathmore, Alberta) picked up a rebound to the left of the goal and buried it for his ninth goal of the season (and fourth of the weekend) to make it 1-1. Kevin Huck (Sr. Eden Prairie, Minnesota) and Seth Reda (Palmer, Alaska) had the assists. Less than three minutes later,

the Green Knights regained the lead. Brandon Longley, who had a hat trick on Friday, was left unchecked in the slot and let a wrist shot go that beat Beiswenger at 11:33 to make it 2-1. The lead, however was short-lived. The 'Jackets scored another power play goal less than three minutes later to tie the game. St. Norbert took six penalties in the second period, and gave the 'Jackets two five-on-three power plays. During the second two-man advantage, Chris Berry (Jr. Calgary, Alberta) picked up a rebound off a Desmet shot between the circles and let a shot go that beat B.J. O'Brien to tie the game at 2-2. It was Berry's fourth goal of the year. Desmet and Kent Detlefsen (Fr. Lakeville, Minnesota) assisted. Before the period was over, the 'Jackets would take their first lead of the game. On a rush, Reda drove to the net and was fed by Desmet. He got a shot away that was stopped, but the puck caromed back off Reda and into the net to make it 3-2 at 17:40 of the second. Desmet and Huck had the assists.

St. Norbert tied the game at 5:35 of the third when Peter Fylling poked a rebound past Beiswenger, making it 3-3. But off the ensuing faceoff, the 'Jackets took control of the puck and the rest of the game. Talon Berlando (So. Drumheller, Alberta) carried into the St. Norbert zone, fed a pass across to the right circle, where Wilson one-timed a shot past O'Brien, scoring the eventual game-winning goal just 21 seconds after the Green Knights tied it. It was Wilson's sixth goal of the year.

Special teams dominated the game. The 'Jackets went 2-5 on the power play. St. Norbert was 0-2 on the power play, but did score on the penalty shot and had the shorthanded marker. The 'Jackets took five penalties for 13 minutes, including a five-minute penalty in the first period on Desmet. St. Norbert took seven penalties for 25 minutes, including a five-minute major and game-misconduct to Dustin Dubas.

Beiswenger was his usual self in goal for the 'Jackets, making 24 saves in the game, his first career win against St. Norbert. B.J. O'Brien made 31 saves for St. Norbert.

The 'Jackets (9-1-0, 4-0-0 NCHA) have a short week this week, returning to action on Wednesday night against Bethel. The Royals are 5-2-1 on the year and tied for second place in the MIAC. Game time on Wednesday 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.