ASHLAND, Wis. – The Northland College Men's Hockey team fell in its home opener 5-2 to Lawrence University Friday night in Ashland, Wis., in a nonconference game. In his first game with the LumberJacks freshman Nik Johnson scores his first collegiate goal.
 
Northland started its 2024-25 season with a quick goal from Johnson just over four minutes into the game. The lead was short lived with the Vikings answering seven seconds later. Lawrence scored two minutes later to take the lead and before the period was over went up 4-1.
 
Just like in the opening period, the Jacks strike early this time Logan Gallagher finds the back of the net getting the assist from Johnson five minutes in. Northland had seven more shots in the period but were held out. Gallagher had two more shorts in the frame.
 
Both teams tested each goaltender in the final frame, but the Vikings scored the final goal of the game with 10 minutes remaining in to win 5-2.
 
Johnson, Gallagher, and Evan Illkos ended the season opener recording a point, with Johnson having two. Gallagher led the team in shots with four. Johnson was one behind with three, tallying one in each period. Valerii Kneib and Ethan Rubin also ended the game with multiple shots on target. Andrew Yocum in the first game of the season made 39 saves.
 
The Jacks are back in action on Tuesday when they host Concordia University, Wisconsin at 6 p.m., at the Bay Area Civic Center.
 
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.