#9 St. Cloud State men's hockey topples WMU, 11-1

Saturday, November 14

Kalamazoo, MI

6:00 p.m. (CT)

St. Cloud State

8-2-0, 4-0-0-0

Western Michigan University

4-6-1, 2-4-0-0

St. Cloud State

Western Michigan

Patrick Russell with goal at WMU.

11/14/2015 9:38:00 PM | Men's Hockey

Box Score

The #9 St. Cloud State University men's hockey team (8-2-0, 4-0-0 NCHC) completed its third series sweep of the 2015-16 season with a big 11-1 victory at Western Michigan University (4-6-1, 2-4-0 NCHC) on Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Lawson Ice Arena in Kalamazoo, Mich.

The Huskies dominated for the opening whistle as senior Joey Benik started the ball rolling with a goal at 1:19 of the first period. David Morley added the lone assist on the play.

Benik lit the lamp at 8:25 of the first period to make the tally 2-0 with power play assists from Ethan Prow and Kalle Kossila. This was Benik's team-leading fourth PPG of the season and it marked the second consecutive night that the Huskies have scored on the advantage.

WMU broke the shutout at 12:04 of the first period with a goal by Aaron Hadley that made it 2-1.

SCSU regained the momentum with just over a minute left in the first period with a power play goal by sophomore Patrick Russell at 18:55. Assists on his goal were added by Judd Peterson and Benik.

In the second period, the Huskies made a statement with four unanswered goals. Morley started it going with an even strength marker at 8:02 of the second. Russell had the lone assists on the play.

Prow charted his first goal of the season with a power play slapper from the blueline that crossed the line at 9:05. Kalle Kossila and Benik each had assists on the play that made the score 5-1.

Before the period was completed, Ben Storm broke into the scoring column with a goal at 14:46 with a lone assist being credited to linemate Blake Winiecki. To end the attack, Russell netted his second goal of the evening with a goal at 19:00. Storm and Winiecki each had assists on the goal.

A complete offensive showcase, SCSU outshot the Broncos 14-2 in the first period and 22-11 in the season period.

In the third period, Benik earned his hat trick with a goal at :54 as the lone assist was credited to Morley, who made the pass sprawled on his stomach from behind the WMU net.

The Huskies pushed their lead to 9-1 with a goal by Ryan Papa at 1:19 of the third with the assist going to Peterson. SCSU then saw its lead stretch to 10-1 with Benik's fourth goal of the night at 5:58 of the third with helpers from Morley and Robby Jackson.

The night was completed with a power play goal by Winiecki at 17:34. Assists on the play were credited to Niklas Nevalainen and Jimmy Schuldt.

On the night, SCSU outshot the Broncos 45-28 as Charlie Lindgren made 16 saves in 45:29 minutes of play. SCSU's Rasmus Reijola finished the game in the nets with 11 saves to his credit. Lukas Hafner was the goalie of record for WMU with 13 saves in 36:33 minutes of play while Collin Olson made 21 saves in relief.

This marked the first time a SCSU player has scored four goals in a game since Mark Hartigan had four in the second period against Alaska Anchorage on Feb. 15, 2002 a the HBNHC. This also marked the first time that SCSU has scored 11 goals in a game since a 11-3 win against Bemidji State on Dec. 15, 2001.

Benik also tied the team record for most points in the game with six (4g/2a). This equal six point nights by Fred Knipscheer (Dec. 5, 1992 vs. CC), Jeff Saterdalen (1/27/99 vs. Air Force), Tony Gruba (2/13/93 vs. MSU Mankato) and Sandy Gasseau (1/19/92) vs. Western Ontario).

A total of eight players had multi-point nights against WMU on Nov. 14 with Russell and Winiecki with three points apiece and Morley with four points.

The Huskies will continue their 2015-16 campaign on Nov. 20-21 with a pair of home dates against North Dakota at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. Tickets for both games are available at www.scsutickets.com or by calling 1-877-SCSUTIX.

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