Waldorf wins sixth straight, sweeps UMD
By Aaron Schneider
ALBERT LEA, Minn. – The Waldorf College hockey team notched its sixth straight win, powering to a 6-1 victory to complete the series sweep over the University of Minnesota-Duluth during Saturday’s Northern Collegiate Hockey League (NCHL) matchup.
Five third-period goals boosted the Warriors (10-6, 4-2) past the Bulldogs (2-8, 1-5).
Ryan Veillet led Waldorf with four points, scoring a goal and adding three assists. The freshman forward from Langley, British Columbia has 13 points on the season with six goals and seven assists.
The Warriors also received goals from senior Reed Loucks, junior Spencer Johnson, sophomores Jeffrey Bartel, Jeremy Navarro and Travis Park.
In addition to Veillet, junior Artem Savelyev, sophomore Matthew Liggett, freshmen Jacob Bromen, Robert Danyo and Conor Luck provided assists for Waldorf. Savelyev has a team-high 10 assists this season.
Sophomore goalkeeper Ronald Paulson recorded 19 saves while facing 20 shots for the Warriors. Waldorf outshot Minnesota-Duluth by a 39-20 margin.
The game was scoreless after the first period. Alex Laurman gave the Bulldogs their only lead, scoring in the second minute of the second period behind assists from Cole Schafer and Jordan Schwandt.
Eleven minutes later, Johnson evened the score with Veillet on the assist.
During the ninth minute of the third period, Veillet knocked in the game-winning goal courtesy of an assist from Danyo.
Loucks scored three minutes later, extending Waldorf’s lead to two goals off passes from Liggett and Veillet.
The Warriors then tallied three more goals in a two-minute span.
During the 18th minute of the final period, Park put the puck between the pipes while Park dished out the assist. Navarro delivered a goal 27 seconds later off passes from Bromen and Veillet. Bartel tacked on Waldorf’s final goal with 33 seconds remaining with Savelyev on the assist.
The Warriors step away from conference play next weekend as they entertain the University of Minnesota in a two-game series at Albert Lea City Arena. Friday’s game begins at 7:30 p.m. and the puck will drop at 7 p.m. on Saturday.