Sports
Photo by Rochelle Nechuta
Senior Tim Manthey at a face-off.
Pointers say farewell to seniors with win
The Pointer
bhaig870@uwsp.edu
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Men’s hockey team notched its fifteenth win of the season Saturday night, outscoring the Blugolds of UW-Eau Claire 5-4. UW-SP, 6-7-1 in NCHA play and 15-8-2 overall, gave Point fans a Valentine’s Day gift to remember in what was a high-scoring, physical showdown.
UW-Eau Claire wasted no time getting on the board when right wing Jesse Vesel lit the lamp early in the first period, only to see UW-SP forward Luke Nesper score back-to-back goals in response.
“It was nice to score two goals, but we knew we had to keep playing hard,” said Nesper. UW-SP senior Taylor Guay added another high wrist shot shortly after, but the Blugolds had other plans as Tyler Trudell found the back of the net to leave the score at 2-3 in Point’s favor going into the second period.
Fans saw UW-Eau Claire take control of the game early in second period as the quick Blugold offense put away two goals in the first nine minutes from Greg Petersen and Tyler Romasco, but the lead would change hands yet again late in the second period. Sean Fish and Reed Lally both beat the Blugold goaltender to secure the lead going into the third period 5-4.
The third period remained scoreless despite close chances and a 6-on-3 Blugold power play in the final two minutes to give the Pointers the final decision in their last conference game.
“We just kept on our heels in the third period and outplayed them,” said head coach Will Nichols.
Pointer fans were not disappointed on senior night, as they saw the Pointers, unranked but still receiving votes, clench their fifteenth home game, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since the 2002-2003 season. However, the Pointers post-season will be decided in the WIAC tournament, whose winner will receive an automatic bid to the national tournament. If UW-SP fails to win the tournament, a committee will decide who receives an at-large bid from the conference to the national tournament.
With the Pointer win Saturday night, UW-SP secures the No. 5 seed in the NCHA playoffs and will travel to Cornerstone Community Ice Center in Ashwaubenon, to face last year’s NCAA Division III Champion Green Knights of St. Norbert College on Friday and Saturday.
