MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia Wisconsin offense erupted for a season-best eight goals on Friday night, powering the Falcons to an 8-4 victory over Dubuque. With the win, CUW improves to 4-5-0 overall and 3-4-0 in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association play.
Dubuque opened the scoring at 8:47 of the first period, but the Falcons responded just one minute later. After a takeaway at the blue line, sophomore Evan Forrest (Spruce Grove, Alberta) buried the equalizer to make it 1-1.
Concordia took control early in the second period. On a power play, sophomore Levi Carter (Keremeos, British Columbia) connected with sophomore Connor Van Weelie (Mississauga, Ontario) in front, with sophomore Jack Guvenal (Georgetown, Ontario) picking up the secondary assist. Van Weelie struck again just two minutes later off a setup from junior Riley Klugerman (Aurora, Ontario), extending the lead to 3-1.
The Falcons added their first shorthanded goal of the season when Guvenal sprung Klugerman on a breakaway. Dubuque trimmed the deficit to 4-2 with a late goal in the closing minute of the second period.
Carter opened the third-period scoring, converting off a steal near the blue line following a poke check by senior Grant Newcomer (McFarland, Wis.). Shortly afterward, Forrest netted his second of the night on a smooth tic-tac-toe passing sequence from freshmen Matt Green (Barrie, Ontario) and Cooper Brown (Airdrie, Alberta).
Dubuque responded with two goals to narrow the gap, but Brown halted the momentum with a tally of his own, assisted by senior Noah Roitman (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) and junior Logan Kroyman (Deerfield Beach, Fla.). Brown later added a power-play marker in the final minute, with junior Alex Ochitwa (Prince George, British Columbia) and Kieran Ronan (New Hartford, N.Y.) on the helpers.
Despite being outshot 34-32, sophomore goaltender Cameron Hrdlicka (Calgary, Alberta) finished with 30 saves to secure the victory.
CUW's eight goals mark a new season high and the program's most in a game since an 8-6 win at Gustavus Adolphus on December 14, 2024.
The Falcons will look to complete the weekend sweep against Dubuque on Saturday.
