DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland College Men's Hockey team could not complete the comeback falling 3-1 to the University of Wisconsin-Superior in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play Saturday night in Duluth, Minn.
 
The Jacks and Yellowjackets fought to a scoreless first period with UWS having the lead in shots 9-to-5. Viktor Wennberg in goal turned away all the shots he faced in the first 20 minutes.
 
Northland started the second period with a man advantage Evan Ilkos and Andrew Liwiski had two shots on the powerplay. Seven minutes in Jordan Guiney broke the ice to put the Yellowjackets ahead 1-0. Six minutes later UWS doubled its lead. The Jacks recorded eight shots in the second period.
 
Just like the second period the Jacks were on the powerplay to start the third. Logan Gallagher had the first shot for Northland in the period coming 45 seconds in. Kenny Styles brings the score within one. The Jacks continued to send shots Kobe Grant's way but he kept Northland out. With two minutes NC pulled its goal for the extra skater and with 19 seconds remaining the Yellowjackets scored on the empty net to win 3-1.
 
The Jacks recorded 21 shots in the contest with Ilkos and Liwiski pacing the team with four. One behind the pair was Valerii Kneib who also recorded a block. On the Styles goal, Eric Honold and Luke VanBaalen picked up a point with an assist.
 
Northland had 15 blocked shots with five coming from Ben Varga. Wennberg made 32 saves and finished with a 94.1 save percentage.
 
The Jacks will enjoy a little holiday break before returning to action on Jan.5 when they go to Saint Mary's University for a 7 p.m., start time.
 
Northland College is an NCAA Division III institution located in Ashland, WI. The LumberJacks and LumberJills sponsor 14 varsity sports and compete in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, Midwest Lacrosse Conference, and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.