Late Rally Gives 'Jackets Win
 
A win is a win.  For followers of the Yellowjackets, that's the philosophy that you must take after Friday's game against Marian.  Throughout much of the contest, the 'Jackets were sloppy and inconsistent.  Three times they led in the game, yet they struggled to put the Sabres away until a late rally saw them score three times in the final six minutes en route to a 5-3 win at home.

After falling behind 1-0 on Nick Henkemeyer's second goal of the season, the 'Jackets tied it up when Kyle Leahy (Fr. Fort St. John, British Columbia) scored his first of the season at 13:04 of the first period.  Leahy was driving the net to bang home a rebound when he was taken to the ice.  The puck hit his skate and crossed the line but because it wasn't sent in with a "distinct kicking motion" the goal was allowed to stand.

In the second, the 'Jackets took their first lead of the game at 12:55.  Logan Isley (Jr. Bonnyville, Alberta) centered a pass from the right wing, finding Jesse Junkermeier (Jr. Minnetonka, Minnesota) who directed it past Marian goaltender Alex Bjerk to make it 2-1.

Marian would come back to tie as part of a seesaw third period.  Justin Cormier scored on a bad-angle shot from the left wing to make it 2-2 at 7:20.  The 'Jackets would rebound and take the lead for a second time with a little help from the linesman.  On the rush, the puck glanced off the linesman and onto the stick of Justin Faryna (Fr. Calgary, Alberta).  Faryna sent a shot on goal that was stopped, but Bjerk knocked it in with his leg to make it 3-2.  It was Faryna's third goal of the season.  Less than a minute later, however, Marian would tie it again.  Spotty play in the defensive zone left Marian with a 2-0 and Nick Cinquegrani scored his second of the season to tie the game at 15:17.  Two minutes later, however, the 'Jackets would take the lead for good.  Faryna had the puck down low and carried out to the front of the net, waiting out Bjerk who sprawled to make the a poke check and put the puck over him to make it 4-3.  The 'Jackets closed out the scoring when Talon Berlando (Jr. Drumheller, Alberta), a few strides inside Marian's line, put one in the empty net to make it 5-3.

Faryna paced the offense with his two goals, while Isley had three assists and Chris Wilson (Sr. Prince Albert, Saskatchewan) had two assists.

Garrett Tinkham (Fr. Paradise, Texas) making his second straight start, made 30 saves in the game while improving to 2-1-0 on the season.  Tinkham, coming off a shutout, got a piece of the first two goals that were scored on him, while the third goal came on a rebound.  The 30 saves improved his save percentage for the season to .900.  Bjerk, meanwhile, made 26 saves for the Sabres.

Both teams were perfect on the penalty kill, as the 'Jackets went 0-2 on the power play while Marian went 0-5.  The 'Jackets took five penalties for ten minutes while Marian took two for four minutes.

The 'Jackets (5-2-1, 1-2-1 NCHA), who have played seven of eight at home to start the season, are now on the road until mid-January.  The first game of the road marathon is Saturday when they travel to the Twin Cities to take on St. Thomas.  Game time on Saturday is 7:00 p.m. and can be heard live locally on KUWS 91.3 FM, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m.  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.