WINONA, Minn. – The Northland College Men's Hockey team defeated St. Mary's University 2-1 in overtime on Friday night in Winona, Minn. Freshman Brock Hart scored the game-winning goal 30 seconds into overtime, securing the victory for the LumberJacks.
 
"First and foremost, just very happy for our guy," said head coach Shane Buckley after the win. "They have faced adversity head on this year and keep showing up day after day. Everyone up and down the lineup contributed today, but it's hard not to single out Andrew Yocum. Yocs was outstanding tonight and made several key saves and calmed everything down for us in our own zone."
 
Yocum faced a lot of action early in the game but kept the Cardinals at bay, saving five shots in the first four minutes. Valerii Kneib and Luke VanBaalen each had the first shots on goal for the Jacks, but both were turned away. Northland had to kill off three penalties in the opening period, but the defense, along with Yocum, ensured the period ended with the score tied 0-0.
 
On St. Mary's first shot of the second period and their 21st of the game, they broke the deadlock to take a 1-0 lead. VanBaalen had another attempt on goal, but A.J. Ruskowski kept him from scoring. The LumberJacks' defense helped Yocum by blocking seven shots in the middle frame, with Yocum making 13 more saves.
 
VanBaalen continued to take shots on goal, and this time the rebound found Tristen Bear, who slotted it home to level the game at 1-1 just under two minutes into the third period. Northland had only one more shot in the period, but Yocum made 18 saves to send the game into overtime.
 
In the final minute of regulation, the Cardinals committed a penalty, allowing the Jacks to start overtime with the man advantage. It didn't take long for the Jacks to capitalize. With good puck movement, the puck found Hart, who had a great look at the net and scored to give the Jacks the 2-1 victory.
 
"Feels good all around, especially as a team to get the first one," said Hart, reflecting on his overtime goal.
 
Hart's game-winner was his first collegiate goal. Bear scored his second of the season. VanBaalen, Kneib, and Ben Stewart each earned a point off an assist. VanBaalen and Bear led the Jacks with three shots on goal, while Same Holy and Evan Ilkos each blocked three shots. In net, Yocum was stellar, making a career-high 51 saves and earning his first collegiate win.
 
The Jacks are back in action tomorrow (Saturday) as they travel to Gustavus Adolphus College for a 5 p.m., puck drop.
 
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 and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.