ASHLAND, Wis. – Devin Stuermer scored four points, helping lead the Concordia University Wisconsin Men's Hockey team to a crucial sweep over Northland College. The sweep moves the Falcons into a tie with the Lumberjacks for the eighth spot in the NCHA standings, with CUW holding the tiebreak heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
Stuermer (Milwaukee, Wis.) was outstanding Saturday in scoring one goal and adding three assists. The junior now has 26 points this season, which is tied for the most in CUW single-season history. Sam Aide also accomplished the feat in 2008-09.
CUW used its power play to score three goals, finishing the afternoon 3-for-5 with the extra man. Junior Eli Riddle and senior Matt Gates each had a power play goal in the first period, giving the Falcons a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. Stuermer assisted on both goals, while Riddle (Blissfield, Mich.) added an assist on the Gates (Palatine, Ill.) score.
The Falcons would extend their lead to 4-0 in the second, thanks to goals by sophomore Tanner Bull (Brooklin, Ontario) and Stuermer. Stuermer and freshman Braden Crone (Metiskow, Alberta) assisted on the Bull score, which would go on the scoresheet as the game-winner. Sophomore Cody Dixon (Hales Corners, Wis.) added a helper on the Stuermer power play score.
Junior Buster Hebda (Firestone, Colo.) scored the final goal of the game for the Falcons, his second score in as many days. Crone and junior Trammell Lynes (Edmonton, Alberta) recorded assists on the final CUW goal.
Sophomore Jake Hebda (Firestone, Colo.) picked up his second straight win as the Falcons netminder, stopping 26 shots. Hebda made 20 saves over the first two periods in keeping the Lumberjacks off the board, allowing his team to build a comfortable lead.
The two teams combined for 30 penalty minutes Saturday but the Falcons were the much more explosive team on the power play. Northland finished just 1-for-7 with the man advantage as the CUW special teams were in full force.
The sweep means CUW needs to stay at least tied with Northland and Finlandia with one more weekend of NCHA play to go. The Falcons hold tiebreakers over both the Lumberjacks (both teams have 8 points) and Lions (6 points). CUW will play MSOE twice, while Northland will take on defending national champion St. Norbert. Finlandia still has two games this weekend against Marian and closes its regular season next weekend against Lawrence. Eight teams qualify for the NCHA Tournament.
The Falcons will be back in action next Friday when they host MSOE at the Ozaukee Ice Center in the first part of a home-and-home NCHA series. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
