Purdue University NW outlast UW Oshkosh:
In spite of the early start time for Quarterfinal #1 between Purdue University NW and UW Oshkosh both teams came out ready to play and full of energy. The first test for UWO came at the 2:00 minute mark when a scrum for the puck broke out in front of their net. What looked like an inevitable goal for PNW did not come to pass and the game’s first goal would have to wait. The game was still 0-0 when the first penalties of the game were whistled at 14:11. The matching roughing minors provided a couple of opportunities in the ensuing 4-on-4 action, but no lamp was lit. The first period would end with PNW picking up an elbowing penalty, giving UWO their first powerplay of the game.

Starting the second period with the man advantage, UWO’s Liam Golden picked up the puck on the left boards and let fly a wrist shot from left point, hitting the upper left corner at 0:58. With a 1-0 lead, UWO would go to box 50 seconds later on a crosschecking call. During what can only be described as a rugby scrum in front of the UWO net the puck popped out to Alex Moon who flicked it into the top right corner at 2:27 to tie the game at one. UWO back in the box 18 seconds later gave PNW another man advantage. A hard shot from Nick LaFornara rebounded right to Moon sitting inside left dot and one timed it home to give PNW their first lead of the game at 4:06. The penalties kept coming and at 6:45 it was a PNW crosschecking. UWO was not able to take advantage, so the score remained 2-1. JT Verdino lit the lamp just seven seconds after they were back at full strength to give PNW a two goal lead. A huge opportunity came UWO’s way when a five minute major for checking from behind was called on PNW. When the puck popped out in front of the net to a waiting Lee Hedtke the two goal advantage of PNW was cut down to one at 15:04. UWO was not able find the back of the net over the remaining 1:29. 

After a penalty filled second period, where more time was spent on the man advantage than even strength, the final stanza returned to the fast paced action that characterized the first period. In an effort to tie the game, UWO pulled their goaltender with 1:02 remaining in regulation. On the ensuing faceoff outside the PNW zone, PNW were whistled for a delay of game penalty. UWO was never able to get a shot off during their time in the PNW zone and PNW held on for a 3-2 victory, along with a place in the semifinals.