Warriors keep winning

Published 9:08 am Monday, November 12, 2012

Chad Lowell celebrates with line-mates after scoring a goal on Sunday in the second game of the weekend against the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. --Buck Monson/Albert Lea Tribune

The Waldorf hockey team took to the ice on Sunday afternoon to complete its two-game series with the visiting University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh team. The Warriors swept the series. They won 11-4 on Saturday night and won 5-2 on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s a five-to-two win, obviously you like that,” Warriors head coach Brett Shelanski said. “I thought we played better defense today. The penalties make it tough, when there is that many.”

The Warriors didn’t waste any time putting the puck in the net when Jordan Van Son scored just 2 minutes, 13 seconds into the contest. Brady Christiaens got the assist. Jacob Bales scored the second goal of the game at the 8:19 mark in the first period with the assist going to Jess Engquist. The Warriors dominated play for most of the period, even though the shots were even at 13 each. The first period scoring was rounded off with a goal by the Warriors’ leading goal scorer, Chad Lowell. Lowell was assisted by Engquist. That gave the Warriors a 3-0 lead.

Robert Cordes makes a save Sunday in a Waldorf game against the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

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“Even strength, we rolled four lines and got contribution from everyone,” Shelanski said.

The second period was once again owned by the Warriors, who outshot their opponent 17-5. At the 6:23 mark in the period, Bryan Gunderson gave the Warriors a 4-0 lead. The goal was a short-handed goal, Gunderson’s first of the year. Gunderson was assisted by Engquist and Gregory Erickson.

UW-Oshkosh scored just a little over two minutes later to make it 4-1.

Aaron Bevers padded the Warriors lead at the 13:59 mark with a power play goal, his fourth on the year, to make it a four goal lead at 5-1. Jake Taylor assisted on the goal.

The third period started out bad for the Warriors, losing Lowell only nine seconds into the period for a checking-from-behind penalty, which automatically constitutes a game misconduct. Lowell had to leave the game. Penalties plagued both teams in the period. Waldorf had one two-minute, two five-minute majors and two game-misconduct penalties. UW-Oshkosh had two two-minute, one five-minute major, one 10-minute misconduct, and one game-misconduct penalty.

Chad Lowell gets an open shot at the goalie during Sunday's game against the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

“Lack of discipline, not realizing when you got to hold up on a hit, hitting with our hands up instead of our shoulders,” Shelanski said of all of the penalties by the team. “The physicality picked up a little bit and we were just trying to be physical, but you just have to be smarter about it.”

With the penalty-filled period it was tough for either team to stick to any game plan. UW-Oshkosh did manage to score a power play goal among the chaos to bring the final score to 5-2.

The Warriors are in fourth place in the Western Collegiate Club Hockey Association, according to the head coach. The Warriors next series will be against the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Nov. 16 and 17 in Eau Claire, Wis.

The Warriors originate in Forest City, Iowa, but play all of their home games in Albert Lea at the City Arena. Their overall record this year is now 10-3-1 and 4-3-1 in conference play.

“We really enjoy playing in Albert Lea,” Shelanski said. “It’s a great set up for us and they take good care of us here.”