Joanette's Hat Trick Pushes SNC Unbeaten Streak to 30

From Sports Information Director, October 28, 2008 | Men's Hockey
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

APPLETON - Alain Joanette scored a natural hat trick in his first collegiate game to help top-ranked St. Norbert College to an 8-1 win over Lawrence University in a non-conference game at Appleton Family Ice Center.

Joanette, who scored the Green Knights' first hat trick in almost 22 months, added an assist to finish with a four-point night. His three goals came consecutively in the third period. Joanette's trifecta was St. Norbert's first since Troy Boisjoli did it on Dec. 5, 2006 against Lake Forest.

St. Norbert, which has not lost since last Nov. 3 to Gustavus Adolphus College, has not lost in 30 straight games. The Green Knights are 26-0-4 since their last loss.

St. Norbert's eight goals are the most it has scored since a 9-3 win over UW-Stevens Point on Nov. 24, 2006 - a stretch of 54 games.

Lawrence (0-1) tried to play spoiler in the early going, taking a 1-0 lead after one period on a Josh DeSmit power-play goal exactly three minutes into the game.

St. Norbert tied the game at 1-1 at 9:32 of the second period on the power play with Cory Patterson's first collegiate goal. A.J. Gale scored 48 seconds later on the power play to give the Green Knights a 2-1 lead and an advantage they would never relinquish.

The Green Knights pushed out to a 4-1 bulge after two periods on a shorthanded goal by Tyler Allen at 14:24 and another goal by A.J. Gale at 16:15.

In addition to Joanette's three third-period markers, Shane Wheeler closed out the scoring with a goal with 41 seconds remaining.

Gale had an assist to give him a three-point night. Patterson had two assists in addition to his goal for three points, while Steven Pratt had three assists - all on Joanette goals.

Blake Bashor started in goal for St. Norbert, making eight saves while working the first 29:32. B.J. O'Brien picked up the win with 12 saves in the final 30:28. Evan Johnson made 42 saves for the Vikings.

St. Norbert was 2-for-10 on the power play while Lawrence was 1-for-7.