Naturals Edge Undefeated League Leader, 10-8, In Showcase Summer Hockey Contest
Posted on June 10, 2009
Northwestern Health Sciences University’s club hockey team, the Naturals, posted their first win of the Summer Showcase Hockey League with an exciting 10-8 victory over the Naked Snowmen on June 7. The Naturals were the first team to beat the Naked Snowmen, who led the league with a 3-0-1 record before the loss to Northwestern. The Naturals are now 1-3 in the Summer Showcase Hockey League, which plays at Parade Ice Arena on Sunday nights this summer. Overall, the Naturals have a season record of 5-9-2.
Trailing 5-3 in the second period, the Naturals scored six unanswered goals to take a 9-5 lead with about eight minutes left in the third period. The Naked Snowmen scored three quick goals to close to 9-8, but Northwestern managed to deny the tying goal in the final minutes and then got an open net goal with seconds on the clock.
“This was easily our best game this year,” said John Healy, club advisor and director of communications for Northwestern. “We’ve been practicing every week for the last month, and you could tell that the practice time at Bloomington Ice Gardens was paying off with crisper passing and better ice awareness by our players. And we did much better at getting to rebounds and putting them in for a goal.”
The Naturals’ 10 goals were more than their combined scoring in their first three Showcase League games, which they lost 7-1, 8-4 and 5-4. Leading Northwestern’s efforts on June 7 were defenseman Greg Petersen, who is currently enrolled in the University’s Undergraduate Studies program, which allows students who plan on enrolling in the University’s chiropractic program the opportunity to complete their undergraduate basic sciences courses required for admission here on campus. Petersen will be enrolling in the chiropractic program in January 2010. He played for three years as an undergraduate at University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.
The Naturals top forward line of Jake Bohnen, T3 chiropractic, Andrew Erlandson, T3 chiropractic, and Mike Modich, T9 chiropractic, tallied 10 points against the Naked Snowmen. Bohnen had two goals and two assists, Modich had a goal and three assists, and Erlandson had a goal and an assist.
“Our first line really stepped up and performed Sunday night,” noted Healy. “That was the most points we have received from one line this year. And the addition of Petersen was extremely helpful.”
Second line center Cassidy Quinton, T5 chiropractic, scored two goals, and third line center Chris Trimner, T3 chiropractic, added a goal. Also adding assists were second line wing Matt Freudenthal, T6 chiropractic; and third line wings Adam Garcia, T5 chiropractic, and Tom Policano, T3 chiropractic. Defensemen Jeff Bjorklund, T3 chiropractic, chipped in a pair of assists.
Club News & Notes
The Naturals practice Thursday nights at Bloomington Ice Gardens. New players are always welcome. Contact John Healy, club advisor, for details at jhealy@nwhealth.edu . For the last month, Steve Dus, a former player at University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, has been leading practices. Dus also coaches a junior team in Bloomington. Dus will be coaching the Naturals this fall when they compete in the American Collegiate Hockey Association, a full-contact club hockey league.
Next Game
The Naturals next Showcase Summer League game is June 14 (Sunday) at 5 p.m. against the Flames. Parade Ice Arena is located just west of the Walker Art Center near downtown Minneapolis.
Natural’s Showcase Summer League Season Schedule