HAMMOND, Ind. – The Concordia University Wisconsin ACHA Division II men's hockey team opened Central Regional play with a 3–1 victory over host Purdue Northwest on Friday. The Falcons, seeded ninth in the bracket, upset the eighth-seeded Pride to advance in the tournament.
 
After a scoreless first period, Concordia Wisconsin broke through early in the second. Just 1:07 into the frame, sophomore Rocco Cicirello (Mequon, Wis.) set up sophomore Dominic Murano (Milwaukee, Wis.) for the game's first goal.
 
The Falcons doubled their lead later in the period when Murano netted his second of the night at 15:12, finishing a feed from sophomore Nolan O'Malley (Chicago, Ill.) to make it 2–0.
 
Purdue Northwest cut the deficit in half during the third period, but Concordia Wisconsin preserved the lead behind strong goaltending from senior Austin Bartell (New Berlin, Wis.). Bartell turned aside a Pride penalty shot opportunity to keep the Falcons in front.
 
Purdue Northwest pulled its goalie in the final minute in search of the equalizer, but junior Chuck Emme (Glenview, Ill.) sealed the win with an empty-net goal to secure the 3–1 final.
 
Concordia Wisconsin recorded 25 shots on goal, while Bartell finished with 23 saves in the victory.
 
The Falcons advance to the next round of the Central Regional on Saturday. With another win, Concordia Wisconsin would earn a berth in the ACHA National Tournament in St. Louis.