Box Score

MADISON, Wis. (12/29/07) – Northeastern junior Ryan Ginand scored with 1:22 left in the third period to lift his No. 11 Huskies to a 2-1 win against Colgate in the championship game of the Badger Showdown on Saturday, Dec. 29, at Wisconsin’s Kohl Center. With the win, Northeastern (9-4-2 overall) extends its current unbeaten streak to a nation-best 10 games (8-0-2), while the Raiders drop to 7-8-3 overall this season.

The teams battled for control of the scoreboard throughout the third period, with both teams getting quality chances. However, Northeastern was the only team to find the back of the net, scoring with 1:22 left in regulation. The Huskies set up in their zone, and freshman Steve Silva gave the puck to junior Denis Chisholm in the right circle. Chisholm passed it up to Ginand at the top of the left circle, and he beat Raider senior goaltender Mark Dekanich (North Vancouver, B.C.) low on his blocker side. Colgate put Dekanich on the bench for much of the remainder of the game, but was unable to get the equalizer.

Raider senior captain Jesse Winchester (Long Sault, Ont.) and freshman defenseman Wade Poplawski (Winnipeg, Man.) represented Colgate on the all-tournament team.

Colgate had the first power-play opportunity of the game, but it was Northeastern that was able to capitalize on the situation. Seconds after the penalty to sophomore Randy Guzior was released, junior Rob Rassey gained control of the puck in his defensive end. In a heads-up play, Rassey sent a pass to Guzior at the opposite blue line, giving his teammate a breakaway. Guzior skated in alone on Dekanich, who made a save on the initial shot. However, Guzior buried the rebound to give the Huskies a 1-0 advantage.

After outshooting Northeastern 13-6 in the first period, Colgate entered the second period with 1:22 left on their second power play of the game. Once again, the Raiders were unable to convert, but later in the period, they got on the board after successfully killing off the first Husky power play of the afternoon.

Just over seven minutes into the second session, with the teams back at 5-on-5, Winchester carried the puck into the zone down the middle of the ice. He passed it to freshman Kevin McNamara (Chestnut Hill, Mass.) in the left circle, and he dropped it off for junior Tom Riley (Ottawa, Ont.). Riley danced toward the net, fooled the goalie with some fancy stick work, and tucked the puck into the lower right corner of the cage to tie the game at 1-1.

Colgate outshot Northeastern 27-19 for the game, and NU sophomore goaltender Brad Thiessen stopped 18 shots to earn the win for his team. Dekanich finished with 17 stops on the afternoon.

The Raiders have two weeks off before resuming league play at Union and Rensselaer, Jan. 11-12. Both games begin at 7:00 p.m.