Ryd's Late Goal Lifts St. Norbert to Rousing 2-1 Win Over UW-Stevens Point

From Sports Information Director, January 27, 2011 | Men's Hockey
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

GREEN BAY - Johan Ryd's goal with 41 seconds remaining boosted St. Norbert College to a pulsating 2-1 win over UW-Stevens Point in a Northern Collegiate Hockey Association tilt at the Cornerstone Community Center.

On a night when St. Norbert coach Tim Coghlin was honored prior to the game for setting the NCHA record for wins, the Green Knights eked by the Pointers to improve to 17-3 overall and 11-2 in the NCHA. Stevens Point dropped to 9-11, 5-8.

Ryd and Scott Pulak broke out on a rush inside the final minute. Ryd's backhand shot went off a prone Stevens Point defenseman Kent Detlefsen and into the net for his seventh goal of the year.

The marker was Ryd's sixth game-winning goal of the season, already tying a school record just 20 games into the year. Ryd joins selected company with the record, sharing the mark with Rob Smillie (1997-98) and Connor Hughes (2005-06).

After a scoreless first period, St. Norbert drew first blood when Brandon Longley put home a rebound for a power-play goal at the 12 minutes 26 seconds mark of the second period. The lead was shortlived as Max Bobrow's shot went past a screen B.J. O'Brien at 15:13.

Pulak finished with two assists for the Green Knights, who were outshot by the Pointers 25-22.

St. Norbert was 1-for-4 on the power play while Stevens Point was 0-for-3. O'Brien had 24 saves for St. Norbert, while Nick Graves made 20 stops for the Pointers.

St. Norbert now leads the all-time series with Stevens Point 38-18-5. The Green Knights are 38-10-2 in the last 50 games and 20-2-1 in the last 23 meetings.