Wisconsin-Stevens Point is in the midst of something special. The Pointers are ranked No. 1 in the nation and still unbeaten after rolling past No. 3 Wisconsin-Eau Claire Friday night and closing out the weekend with a 6-2 win over Wisconsin-River Falls.
Danny Kiraly gave the Pointers a 1-0 lead less than three minutes into the game, and T.J. Roo scored to put the Pointers up 2-0 less than two minutes into the second period. Austin Kelly finished out the scoring for Wis.-Stevens Point later in the period to put the Pointers ahead 3-0. The goal by Kelly was his sixth of the season.
The Blugolds never had an answer, with the exception of a goal by Nathan Dingmann.
Cooper Ryckman once again got the job done between the pipes. He stopped 14 saves and won his 17th game of the season. Zach Dyment tallied 21 saves for the Blugolds.
Saturday’s game was even more dominating as six different players scored for the Pointers, who are now 19-0-2 on the season.
Carter Roo, Luke McElhenie, Brennen Miller, T.J. Roo, Tanner Karty, and Colin Raver all punched in goals for the Pointers. Raver’s goal was his ninth of the year.
Peter Karavos and Aussie Miller scored for the Falcons in the third period.
Ryckman stopped 13 shots, and Zach Quinn made 28 saves for the Falcons.
Not only are the Pointers the top team in the nation, they are also on pace to win a WIAC championship. They are 4-0-0 in league play.
Tommies dominate finale
After playing Bethel to a 2-2 tie Friday night, St. Thomas cruised to a 6-0 win over the Royals Saturday to close out the series in convincing fashion. Cullen Wilcox paved the way with his first hat trick of the season. He also dished out an assist.
Brett Gravelle, Jack Christensen, and Broydon Stufko also scored for the Tommies, who improved to 10-4-3 overall and 4-1-3 in the MIAC. They have won their last four at home and are unbeaten in their last eight games overall.
Cam Buggrabe made 19 saves, helping to kill off eight power-play opportunities for the Royals along the way.
On Friday, Tanner Barnes and Gravelle both scored. Austin Langworthy and Curtis Hansen tallied goals for the Royals. Hansen scored late in the third to tie the game at 2-2.
Johnnies and Cobbers split series
Saint John’s earned a split with Concordia by stealing a 4-2 win Saturday. The Johnnies scored three times in the third period to get the job done. Concordia stole the opener, 2-1, on Friday.
Matt Colford scored twice in Saturday’s win, including with 1:26 left in the game to put Saint John’s ahead for good at 3-2. It was his eighth goal of the year and the 60th career point for him as the Johnnies improved to 8-8-3 overall and to 6-3-1 in the MIAC.
Joe Chitwood scored in the final minute to seal the deal. It was the 10th goal of his career.
Evan Okeley came through with a goal and an assist, and Andrew Lindgren stopped 24 shots for his sixth win of the season.
Tyler Bossert and Beau Wilmer scored for the Cobbers, who are 11-6-2 overall and 7-2-1 in conference play.
Concordia took advantage of a pair of power-play goals Friday to knock off the Saints. Aaron Herdt and Mario Bianchi both scored for the Cobbers. Herdt scored his 13th goal of the season. Bianchi also has 13 goals on the season.
Davis Kirkendall gave Saint John’s an early 1-0 lead before the Cobbers responded. It was his fourth goal of his career.
Jacob Stephan made 22 saves for the Cobbers.
Lions keep streak alive
Finlandia stretched its unbeaten streak to four games with a 4-2 win over Northland Saturday. The Lions have now won seven games. Finlandia scored three times in the final four minutes to earn the win. Alex Rezansoff scored a goal and dished out an assist. Bryce Mitzel and Blake Peavey both dished out two assists apiece.
Kendall Bolen-Porter also scored a goal for Finlandia. Kurt Sonne and Hunter Kero also scored for the Lions, who have already won six more games than they did all of last season. This is the first time since the 2012-13 season that Finlandia has won at least seven games in a season.
Foresters are on a roll
Lake Forest stretched its win streak to five games with a 4-1 win over Lawrence Saturday. The Foresters have won their last five games. Joe Sardina came up big Saturday, tallying a goal and an assist. Bron Loiselle, Kyler Magus, and Cullen Kane all scored for Lake Forest, which improved to 10-5-4 overall and to 8-2-2 in the conference.
Lake Forest held a 42-19 advantage in shots and George Argiropoulos stopped 18 shots. He has won six games and owns a goals against average of 1.42.
Argiropoulos stopped 21 shots on Friday night in a 2-1 win over Marian. Kane and Loiselle both scored for the Foresters in a showdown between two of the best teams in the NCHA.
Lake Forest held a 35-21 advantage in shots in the win.
Bulldogs continue dominance of Falcons
Adrian remains unbeaten in the all-time series against Concordia, picking up its latest win Saturday in the form of a 5-3 victory. The Bulldogs have won all 39 games against the Falcons in the series’ history.
Nikita Babintsev started in goal and won for the third time. He stopped 21 shots. He has been impressive since starter Kevin Entmaa went down with an injury, fashioning a 1.06 goals-against average in his three starts.
Connor Armour, Bryan Yim, Dino Balsamo, Bryce Van Horn, and Rex Moe all scored for the Bulldogs, who improved to 13-5-1 overall and to 8-3-1 in the NCHA. Yim’s goal was his 12th of the season, the most on the team. The Bulldogs have won their last three games.
