Saint John's hockey (2-4-1, 1-3-0 MIAC) hosts Concordia (Wis.) for a two-game series this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25-26. Friday's game is scheduled for 7 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. matinee Saturday. Both games will be held at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud. – Listen Live (Both Games) | Live Stats (Both Games)
Preview Video:
-Head coach Doug Schueller (1:36)
A LOOK AT THE JOHNNIES: Saint John's split a weekend series with Augsburg, losing 5-4 Friday in Minneapolis before returning home to earn a 5-3 win in St. Cloud Saturday. The Johnnies took a 1-0 lead at the 4:03 mark of the first period Saturday with a goal from sophomore Axel Ramsgard (Gothenburg, Sweden). SJU scored four second-period goals, including two from junior Jascha Pettit (Wadena, Minn.) to take a 5-0 lead. Three of the four tallies came on the power play. The Auggies scored three unanswered goals to deny the shutout. SJU outshot Augsburg 35-24, including a 28-12 advantage through the first two periods. The Johnnies scored three goals on seven power-play opportunities, improving to 10-for-30 (33.3) on the season. Nine different Johnnies recorded a point in the contest. Senior goaltender Tony Civello (Shoreview, Minn.) made 21 saves in the game.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A SEASON MAKES: SJU answered its dismal 1-for-44 showing on the power play with a 13-for-61 performance (21.3 percent) in its final 16 games last season. The momentum clearly carried over to this season, as the Johnnies currently lead the MIAC (all games) with a 10-for-30 showing (33.3 percent) on the power play through seven games this season.
HAEG CONTINUES TO IMPRESS: Freshman forward John Haeg (Lakeville, Minn.) tallied four more points (1g/3a) in the Johnnies' series split with Augsburg last weekend. He currently leads the league in points (11) and assists (10) and is second in NCAA Division III in points among rookies/first-year players. All of his 11 points (1g/10a) have come in the last five games.
MIAC LEADERS: The Johnnies currently lead the MIAC (all games) in goals scored (3.57 gpg.), third-period goals (10) and power-play percentage (33.3 percent, 10-for-30). Freshman forward John Haeg (Lakeville, Minn.) leads the MIAC (all games) in points (1.57 ppg.), assists (10) and freshman scoring (1g/10a).
A LOOK AT THE FALCONS: Concordia (1-6-1, 1-4-1 MCHA) earned its first victory of the season with a 5-2 win against Lake Forest (Ill.) on Nov. 12. Sophomore forward Russell Johnson scored one goal in the first period and two goals in the third period to record a hat trick on the night. He also added an assist on the team's second goal to earn four points in the game. Freshman goaltender Josh Lehr recorded 25 saves in the game to earn his first collegiate win. Johnson, Lukas Allen and Shay Klitzke lead the team with six points apiece. The Falcons dropped a 6-1 decision at Wisconsin-Stout to open the season Oct. 21. SJU defeated the Blue Devils 7-3 two weeks later in Menomonie, Wis. CUW has been outscored 41-17 so far this season. The Falcons are coached by Tony Hrkac, an 18-year professional who played for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Quebec Nordiques, San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues. He won the Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars in 1999. Hrkac tallied 371 points (132g/239a) in 758 NHL games, including 14 points in 41 postseason contests.
SERIES HISTORY: This weekend's games are the first for SJU against Concordia (Wis.) on the ice. The Johnnie soccer team is 3-1-1 all-time against the Falcons, including a 4-3 win in Mequon, Wis., this past September.
