Green Knights Salvage Tie at UW-Stevens Point in Nationally Ranked Battle

From Sports Information Director, January 11, 2014 | Men's Hockey
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

STEVENS POINT - St. Norbert College scored late in the third period to gain a 2-2 tie with UW-Stevens Point in a battle between a pair of nationally ranked teams in a non-conference game played in front of 1,440 at K.B. Willett Arena.

The Green Knights (12-2-1), ranked No. 4 in the USCHO.com and D3hockey.com Division III polls, forged the tie when Blake Thompson scored his first goal of the season with 2:48 remaining in regulation time. Stevens Point, ranked No. 2 in both polls, dropped to 12-1-1. The game is the only meeting schedule between the two longtime rivals in the 2013-14 regular season.

St. Norbert drew first blood when Reid Campbell scored on a shot from the blue line just 4:58 into the game. The Pointers answered with a 5-on-3 power-play goal by Kyle Sharkey at the 10:57 mark of the first. St. Norbert had two power-play opportunities late in the first period, but couldn't convert.

The game remained knotted at 1-1 until Stevens Point pulled ahead with a Scott Henegar goal at the 6:55 mark. The Pointers held their lead until Thompson scored off a Ross Pavek assist at 17:12.

St. Norbert held a 14-7 shots edge in the third period, but the Pointers held a slight 3-2 nod in shots in overtime. Both teams had 17 penalty minutes assessed at the conclusion of the game.

The Green Knights held a 33-27 shots advantage for the game. St. Norbert was 0-for-4 on the power play, while the Pointers were 1-for-3.

David Jacobson made 25 saves for St. Norbert, while Brandon Jaeger made 31 saves for Stevens Point.