The Lawrence men’s hockey team opened up their season last Saturday night with a 5-4 win at UW-Stevens Point’s Willett Arena. The Vikings’ first match came after only a week of practice, but the team proved it was prepared, notching its first win of the season.
The scoring started early for both teams. Sophomore Brad Scurfield scored on a power play with 12:24 left in the first period, but the Pointers’ Alex Handy countered with a goal just before the end of the period.
Freshman Paul Zuke scored for the Vikings just one minute into the second period, but Stevens Point returned the favor scoring at the five-minute mark, tying the game 2-2. Freshman John Orrico gave the Vikings a one-goal advantage going into the third period by scoring his first goal at 18:15.
The game heated up when the puck hit the ice in the third period. The Pointers scored back-to-back goals: the first came less than a minute into the period, and the second was scored at 8:01 on a power play. Orrico then scored his second goal of the game for the Vikings, tying the score 4-4 with an unassisted goal at 10:44.
After the Vikings’ Reijo Whalin was sent off for checking from behind at 16:49, Scurfield played the hero’s role scoring a shorthanded goal with just 1:39 to go in the game, giving Lawrence a 5-4 advantage.
With 42 seconds left in the game, Lawrence’s Sam Johnson was sent off, and the Pointers pulled their goalie in a 6-on-4 attempt to tie the game. Senior goalkeeper Evan Johnson held strong, saving 26 shots throughout the game, and the Vikings’ season began with a non-conference victory.
Men’s hockey opens season with win
