MEQUON, Wis. – A stellar performance between the pipes from senior Austin Bartell (New Berlin, Wis.) kept the Concordia Wisconsin ACHA men's hockey team within striking distance of unbeaten St. Thomas on Friday night. The Falcons battled the Tommies throughout the evening before falling 4-1 at the Ozaukee Ice Center.
Bartell was the backbone of the Falcons' defensive effort, turning away 50 shots, including all 17 he faced in the second period, to keep Concordia in the contest. The loss moves CUW to 0-9 on the season, while St. Thomas improves to 5-0.
The Tommies tested Bartell early and often, but the senior netminder was up to the challenge. Bartell turned away the first 14 shots he faced before an unfortunate equipment malfunction helped St. Thomas break through.
With 1:22 remaining in the opening period, the blade came off Bartell's skate, leaving the CUW goaltender unable to move effectively across the crease. St. Thomas capitalized on the unusual situation as Winston Wheaton found the back of the net to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
Despite the setback, Bartell continued to stand tall.
The Tommies maintained their offensive pressure in the second period, firing 17 shots on goal. Bartell denied every opportunity, including five shots during a St. Thomas power play, to keep the Falcons within a single goal heading into the final intermission.
Concordia's penalty kill also delivered a strong performance, successfully shutting down all three St. Thomas power-play opportunities on the evening.
The Falcons rewarded their goaltender's efforts just 1:29 into the third period.
Junior Rocco Cicirello sent a pass toward the net as Concordia crashed the crease looking for an opportunity. Junior Owen Almburg capitalized on the play, finding the back of the net to even the contest at 1-1 and bring new life to the Falcons.
The tie was short-lived, however, as St. Thomas responded at the 4:11 mark of the third period. Jackson Donahue scored off a feed from Connor Stoffel to restore the Tommies' one-goal advantage.
Bartell continued to battle as the visitors pressed forward, recording 19 saves in the final frame. St. Thomas eventually added an insurance goal from Logan Gatti at the 13:40 mark before Drew Fisher closed the scoring with 2:13 remaining.
The Tommies finished with a 54-22 advantage in shots, but Bartell's 50-save performance kept the Falcons competitive deep into the third period.
Cicirello led Concordia's offensive efforts with an assist and three shots on goal, while Almburg finished with the Falcons' lone goal on three shots. Sophomore Evan Neitzel also contributed three shots.
The Falcons finished with nine blocked shots, including two apiece from Dylan Pomillo, Caden Barnhill and Connor Corlett.
Despite the final score, Concordia showed its resilience against an unbeaten opponent, with Bartell's outstanding performance giving the Falcons an opportunity to battle for the victory well into the final period.
