Box Score

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Nichols College men's ice hockey team defeated Finlandia, 2-1, in a non-conference game played at Siinto S. Wessman Arena on Saturday. With the win, the Bison (9-5-0) complete the weekend with a split while Finlandia slips to 3-10-0.

"It was nice to bounce back tonight after a tough loss last night and get a big win," stated head coach Kevin Swallow. "Hopefully we can use this to carry a little momentum into last weekend of play before the stretch run in the league."
 
The first period saw Finlandia outshoot Nichols 14-7 as the Bison had the only power play chance of the frame. Midway through the stanza, sophomore Brett Jackson (Larchmont, N.Y.) fired in a shot from the slot that caromed off Finlandia sophomore backstop Jordan Marr's (Lochgelly, Great Britain) left pad and off the post. Later in the period, sophomore Joe Sposit (Cleveland, Ohio) and first-year Tyler Beasley (Indianapolis, Ind.) made attempts to sound the siren on consecutive chances.
 
Nichols came out shooting in the second as the squad took eight shots in under three minutes and went on to take the first nine before Finlandia's Travis Armstrong tested junior netminder Dylan Woodring (Rogue River, Ore.) at 4:26. Just over a minute later, Sposit lit up the scoreboard with his sixth goal of the season at 5:40. The power play marker was setup by Beasley and senior Zach Kohn (Delafield, Wis.). The Wisconsin-native picked up his 81st assist and 112th point to take over ninth place all-time on the points list. With 1:52 left in the second, senior Danny Greiner (Columbus, Ohio) was aided by sophomores Mike Schwartz (Long Beach, N.Y.) and Kyle Shapiro (Ambler, Pa.) to score the game's second goal. Nichols owned a 16-8 bulge in shots and took advantage of one of the club's two power play chances. Finlandia was unable to capitalize on one power play opportunity.
 
The Bison held the 2-0 advantage until late in the third period. With 1:34 left on the game clock and :02 left on a Finlandia power play, sophomore Jordan Passino (Howell, Mich.) ended Woodring's shutout bid off assists from juniors Cody Essel (Hopkins, Minn.) and Collin Saint-Onge (Marquette, Mich.). Nichols took 12 of the 19 shots and went 0-for-4 with extra personnel. The Lions went 1-for-3 on the power play.
 
Woodring ended the game with 28 saves while Marr turned away a game-best 33 shots.

"I thought Dylan played great," added Swallow. "It's been a few weeks since he's been in there. He's really battled hard in practice to earn the opportunity today."
 
Nichols kicks off the 2013 portion of the home schedule next weekend. On Friday the Bison will face Brockport at 7:40 p.m. and then #4 Hobart on Sunday at 4:10 p.m. Finlandia hosts Concordia (Wis.) for a two game set beginning on Friday.