MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia Wisconsin men's ice hockey team claimed the Lake Michigan Cup over MSOE in a shootout Saturday night. The Cup returns to Mequon after the Raiders claimed it last year, also by shoot out.
 
The game went in favor of the Raiders, with the Falcons falling 2-1. The Falcons are now 2-4 on the season and 1-3 in NCHA play.
 
After a scoreless first period, MSOE got on the board twice in the second period. The Falcons tried to bounce back during the period with 18 shots in the second.
 
It took until the final three minutes for CUW to find the back of the net. Sophomore Connor Van Weelie (Mississauga, Ont.) was able to tip in the puck with assistance from freshman Kieran Ronan (New Hartford, N.Y.).
 
With the only a one goal deficit, the Falcons pulled sophomore goalie Cameron Hrdlicka (Calgary, Alta.) to put an extra man on the ice. The Raiders defense held strong to win the game.
 
With the series tied at one game apiece, the two team played the cup in a faceoff. Each team had three attempts. Hrdlicka stayed in net for the Falcons. MSOE went first missing their first attempt. Senior Noah Roitman (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) skated onto the ice for CUW's first attempt. Roitman was able to find a hole to score.
 
With the Falcons up 1-0, the Raiders where up. Hrlicka remained strong in the net and blocked the visitor's second attempt. Junior Alex Ochitwa (Prince George, B.C.) lined up to take the possible Cup winning shot. Ochitwa was able to fake out the MSOE goaltender to score and give the Royal Blue and Grey the cup. This was the first time the Falcons won the Lake Michigan Cup outright.
 
CUW is set to face Lake Forrest in another high-pressure matchup, this one for the Border Battle Cup. The Falcons won it last year and intend to keep it in Mequon. The first game will be in Lake Forrest, Ill. On Friday, Nov. 21. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse.