'Jackets Fall In Opener
 
The Yellowjackets opened the 2009-10 season at home on Friday night, and for the most part there was not much fanfare.  There was no special ceremony to commemorate last season's NCHA title.  No special introductions or light shows or anything that come with the start to the new season.  And there wasn't a whole lot for the crowd of 866 to cheer about, either.  The 'Jackets, with seven new players in the lineup, could only muster one goal in a 2-1 loss to River Falls at Wessman Arena.

The biggest question entering the game and the season for the Yellowjackets and their faithful was who would fill the void in goal left by the graduation of Chad Beiswenger.  The coaching staff has said that in the early going it could be "goalie by committee," and the first to get tested was Mike Rosett (Sr. Anchorage, Alaska).  Rosett, who last saw action in a game on November 20, 2007, made the most of his first appearance of the year, turning aside 19 shots and was strong for the most part.

After going scoreless for most of the first period and each team having one unsuccessful power play opportunity, the 'Jackets were finally able to break through.  Tyler Fletcher (Sr. Calgary, Alberta) was able to get behind the River Falls defense and after gaining position on a checker, let a shot go that got under the pads of Falcon goaltender Bo Storozuk to make it 1-0.  Fletcher's first of the year was assisted by Kyle Leahy (Fr. Fort St. John, British Columbia) and Josh Kesler (Fr. Naperville, Illinois) and came with 18 seconds left on the clock.

The lead stood for most of the second period, but in the waning moment River Falls came back to tie it.  The 'Jackets turned the puck over in the neutral zone, allowing River Falls to come back in transition on an odd-man rush.  John Bullis took a drop pass in the left circle and snapped a shot past Rosett on the stick side to tie it 1-1 with 2:42 to play in the period. 

In the third period, the penalties started to come.  There were only three total called in the first two periods, but things picked up a bit in the third.  The 'Jackets were whistled for one in the first minute, and River Falls returned to the favor just over a minute later.  The turning point in the game came while the 'Jackets were enjoying the abbreviated power play.  Talon Berlando (Jr. Drumheller, Alberta) hit Grant Everett in the back behind the Falcons net, and was given a five-minute major for checking from behind and a game misconduct.  The result was nearly five minutes on the power play for River Falls, and they came through at the end.  With 18 seconds left to kill off, Brady Horn let a shot go from the high slot that rode up the stick of Rosett and beat him over the shoulder to make it 2-1.  It was Horn's second goal of the season and the eventual game-winner.

The 'Jackets still had nearly 12 minutes to tie it up, and mounted a few rallies that nearly resulted in the tie, but were unable to get the puck past Storozuk a second time.  Storozuk, who appeared to fight the puck at times, finished the game with 25 saves.

Superior went 0-3 on the power play, while River Falls went 1-5.  The Yellowjackets took six penalties for 23 minutes, while River Falls took four for eight minutes.

The 'Jackets will look to bounce back on Saturday night, when they host the second game of the weekend series at Wessman Arena.  In the spirit of Halloween, fans are encouraged to come to the game in costume, and prizes will be awarded during the second and third periods.  Game time on Saturday is 7:05 p.m. and can be heard live locally on KUWS 91.3 FM, with the pre-game show getting underway at 6:45 p.m.  If you are outside the local listening area you can tune in on the Internet at www.kuws.fm.  Jon Garver will have the call.