Warriors face Cyclones on home ice
In their last home set of the 2012-2013, the Waldorf Warrior hockey team took to the ice to try and keep their record at home unblemished. Playing their home contests in Albert Lea, Minnesota at City Arena, the Warriors were 12-0-1 coming into the weekend. Saturday night, the Warriors opened up to the #4 ranked Iowa State Cyclones with a shaky first period, falling behind 1-0 after one period of play.
The Waldorf College Men’s Hockey Team
An Aaron Bevers power play goal at the 10:50 mark of the second period tied the game up at 1-1. With some momentum behind them after tying the game, the Warriors and Brent Putney took the lead a couple minutes later, as his laser gave Waldorf the 2-1 lead.
The Warriors could not hold the lead before the second period clock ran out, as the Cyclones netted the equalizer at the 16:04 mark for a 2-2 score after two.
Derrick Barnes, a freshman from Mason City, Iowa, gave the Warriors their 13th win at home in 14 tries with what proved to be the game-winning goal at the 12:33 mark in the third. Robert Cordes started at goalie for the Warriors and recorded 44 saves on 46 chances. “That was a great job by Barnes. He got the opportunity, and buried the game winner for us,” said freshman Jacob Bales.
Looking to close out the 2012-2013 home season with an undefeated record, the Warriors again squared off against the Cyclones in a Sunday afternoon tilt. Iowa State jumped out to a 1-0 lead just a minute and a half into the game, as they converted on a power play opportunity. The Warriors would not score in that first period. Jesse Orttel’s power play goal at the 2:24 mark of the second tied things up at 1-1.
The Cyclones second goal came as the Warriors were down two skaters. Waldorf almost was able to kill the power play, but the Cyclones snuck the go-ahead goal in behind Warrior goalie Mike Nelson to give them the 2-1 lead. Nelson finished with 33 saves in goal for Waldorf on 35 shots.
The Warriors desperately tried to find the equalizer and send the game into overtime, but they could not muster the tying goal and the Warriors dropped their first game at home. The Warriors close the home schedule with a 13-1-1 record and hold a 20-6-1 record overall.
“It was a bummer to lose the undefeated home season in the last game, but we have WCCHA tourney play coming up which I think we are ready for,” said freshman Bryce Frost.
The Warriors will begin Western Collegiate Club Hockey Association (WCCHA) tournament play on Friday in Blaine, Minnesota.