Friday Night

Box Score

The Central Wisconsin Saints limped into their 2011-2012 season with a 5-1 loss to the Kalkaska Roughnecks in their first game of the season. The Saints looked strong early, but organization and passing broke down as the game progressed and it cost them as the Roughnecks recorded their first win in franchise history.

The Roughnecks came into the weekend 0-7-1 but managed to fight out of an early hole to win the game. The Saints struck first as Brandon Hummel potted the first goal of the season in the first period. Assists were credited to Max Culp and Kyle Harnish

The Saints and starting goaltender Garret Avery held strong through the first period and were confident going into the second period. In the second period the Saint grew erratic and twice killed off penalties only to allow an even strength goal seconds after the penalty expired. Joe Close and Tyler Teglia were the Roughneck players doing the damage.

The third period was worse than the previous two and the wheels really fell off for Central Wisconsin. Teglia recorded his second of the game while Dugan Kelly and Anthony Didiana also recorded tallies in the route.

The Saints were not without bright spots. Kenton Grulkowski had a strong effort for Central Wisconsin. Chase Engdahl had a very strong debut and earned the #3 behind Teglia and Kelly. The Saints power play was also effective.

Eric Keljo was injured in the first period and could not return. He is listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury.

Saturday Night

Box Score

Major Penalties and game ejections spoiled game two for the Central Wisconsin Saints as they fell 5-4 to the Kalkaska Roughnecks for the 2nd straight game.
Despite a fast start by the Saints who jumped out to an early lead on Max Culp’s first goal of the season, Kalkaska responded quickly after every Saints goal. Culp also chipped in two assists giving him three points on the night.

Late in the second period the Saints had a 4-3 lead, but a 5 minute major game ejection penalty to goalie Jake Adams who gave Kalkaska a power play opportunity. Adams was ejected for using his blocker as a weapon. A minute later Brandon Hummel, also a goal scorer, was ejected for checking from behind.

Kalkaska capitalized on the advantage with two goals.
Tyler Teglia became the thorn in the Saints side the past two games with 3 goals tonight, giving him a total of 5 in the series. Leading Roughneck scorer Joseph Close scored his 2nd goal of the series and chipped in 3 assists on the night.

 Goalie Brandon Vulpitta came in to relieve starter Kelton Maskell’s half way through the second not allowing the Saints to score for the remainder of the game.
A bright spot for the Saints was Baraboo, WI native Jeremy Ebert who scored two goals for the Saints (0-2). The Saints outshot the Roughnecks 35-34 to end the game.

Audio Highlights

Sunday Morning

Box Score

The Saints jumped out early for the third straight game, but this time they were unable to cash in during the first period. The Saints came close, but it was Kalkaska that struck first with a goal from Kyle Kabacinski in the seventh minute. The Saints outshot the roughnecks 15-6 in the first, but couldn't score.

In the second the Saints continued to accumulate chances, but couldn't bury the puck as Calvin Burkhart continued to rack up saves. On the other end Mitch Hanson made several key stops, including stoping Matt Elswick on a breawaway with a slick glove snag.

Kalkaska struck again in the second period with Joe Close snapping a breakaway shorthanded shot top shelf out if the reach of Hanson. The play started when Engdahl was unable to get a shot through from the blueline.

A scrap broke out at the end of the second period as Jay Shifra engaged with Anthony Didiana behind the play. Matt Elswick jumped Shifra from behind and began throwing punches as well. Colin van Hauter flew into the fray to defend his teammate. Elswick and van Hauter were tossed from the game. The Saints ended up shorthanded in what was a questionable outcome.

That called led directly to a third Kalkaska goal on the power play by Close, his second of the game. The Saints finally answered in the third period with a goal in the third minute. max Culp got his second of the season. He was assisted by Kyle Harnish (on his birthday) and Mikey Tiberi.

Jay Shifra got in his second altercation of the night against Dugan Kelly, but seemed hesitant to throw any punches in either scrap. He was content to grab his opponents and wrestle them to a standstill.

The Saints managed to crawl back into the game when Mikey Tiberi scored with under three minutes remaining. Culp and Harnish had an assist each. Justin Ritchie and Kenton Grulkowski each had scraps, but they couldn't solve Calvin Burkhart who recorded 49 saves on the night. Mitch Hanson had 20 for Central Wisconsin.

The Saints return to action next weekend in Fort Wayne with a two game set against the Federals.