Box Score

RIVER FALLS, Wis. – Saint John's hockey started 2016 with a 3-1 loss at No. 11/14 Wisconsin-River Falls on Friday, Jan. 8.

The Johnnies (4-8-2, 3-3-0 MIAC) are now 3-3-2 against nationally-ranked teams this season.

Following a scoreless first period, Mike Williams found the net for River Falls (9-4-2, 2-0-0 WIAC) 12:50 into the second frame.

Junior forward Dan Voce (Princeton, Minn.) tied the game for SJU with his first goal of the season, and fifth career point, 6:38 into the third period. Sophomore Sam Valerius (Maple Grove, Minn.) was credited with the assist.

Junior forward Kevin Becker (Roseville, Minn.) hit the pipe minutes later, but Eddie Matsushima scored what proved to be the game-winning goal when he intercepted an SJU pass from behind its own net and lit the lamp with 5:10 remaining. 

Cory Lushanko ended the scoring with an empty-net goal with 44 seconds left.

Senior goaltender Saxton Soley (Elk Mound, Wis.) made 25 saves in the loss as UWRF out-shot the Johnnies 28-21, though SJU registered a 10-9 advantage in the third period.

The two teams combined for a 0-for-9 showing on the power play (SJU: 0-4, UWRF: 0-5). 

The Johnnies end the weekend with a rare 5 p.m. start on Saturday, Jan. 9, at Wisconsin-Superior.