'Jackets Tie 3-3

POWER PLAY SALVAGES TIE

A tie game. It isn't a win, but it also isn't a loss, either. There are times, however, when a tie feels like a loss. That's the feeling the 'Jackets came away with on Saturday night. Outplayed in just about every aspect of the game, especially in the final two periods, the 'Jackets needed their power play to bail them out, and thankfully it did.

Kent Detlefsen (Fr. Lakeville, Minnesota) scored his second power play goal of the game at 14:44 of the third period to give the 'Jackets a 3-3 tie against the Milwaukee School of Engineering. The tie snapped the 'Jackets' winning streak at eight games, but their unbeaten streak lived to see another day, reaching nine games.

On paper, this game appeared to be a mismatch. But the games aren't played on paper, and the Raiders gave the 'Jackets more than they could handle...and then some.

The 'Jackets got the first goal of the game at 11:32 of the first period. Brian Bina (Jr. Grand Forks, North Dakota) let a shot go from the left point that was tipped in front by Talon Berlando (So. Drumheller, Alberta) that snuck across the line to make it 1-0. It was Berlando's seventh goal of the season. They had the chances to put the game away early, but weren't able to capitalize on a number of opportunities in the opening frame, leaving the door open for the Raiders, who would tie the game in the second period. The 'Jackets allowed the Raiders to run the show in their zone, and they paid for it when Andrew Howard scored his first of the year at 4:46.

In the third, the 'Jackets looked to have a little more life in the early-going. A power play in the opening seconds gave them their second lead of the game. Detlefsen took a feed at the top of the slot and let a blast go that found its way through a crowd to make it 2-1 just 1:32 into the period. Kevin Huck (Sr. Eden Prairie, Minnesota) and Braden Desmet (Jr. Strathmore, Alberta) assisted. The lead would last for about 11 minutes. The Raiders came back and tied the game again with a power play goal of their own, Todd Krupa, scoring on a breakaway at 12:22 to make it 2-2. Then, less than a minute later, the Raiders took their first lead. Ben Kenyon scored his first of the year at 13:20 to make it 3-2. But just over a minute later, the Yellowjacket power play struck again, and again it was Detlefsen. Ryan Kuntz (Sr. Regina, Saskatchewan) got the puck to the front of the net, and after the initial save, Detlefsen was there to poke home the rebound and tie the game at 3-3. Seth Reda (Sr. Palmer, Alaska) also assisted.

The remainder of regulation was back-and-forth, but the 'Jackets were given one last chance to put the game away. The Raiders were called for a penalty with :49 seconds to play in regulation. Following a timeout, the power play attacked the Raiders relentlessly, coming close in the waning seconds of the period, but they were unable to score for the third time and give the 'Jackets the win. The power play carried over to the overtime, but the 'Jackets weren't able to capitalize and the game finished in a stalemate.

The 'Jackets took five penalties for ten minutes, while the Raiders took six for 12 minutes. The 'Jackets went 2-5 on the power play while the Raiders went 1-4.

Chad Beiswenger (Sr. Moorhead, Minnesota) wasn't his sharpest in the game, finishing with 23 saves. Connor Toomey had 39 saves for the Raiders.

The 'Jackets now hit the road for the next six games, not returning to Wessman Arena until January 23. They will be back in NCHA play next weekend, when they travel to K.B. Willet Arena to play UW-Stevens Point. Game time on Friday night will be 7:30 p.m., with the pre-game show getting underway at 7:10 p.m. The game can be heard 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.