Eagles hold off Austin

By PAUL DUNLAP

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- If Tuesday night was any indication, the New Ulm boys hockey team will be fun to watch this season.

Travis Thorson recorded a hat trick as the Eagles answered everything Austin threw their way, holding off the Packers 5-4 in nonconference action at Vogel Arena.

"We said we wanted to see the crowds come back, and games like this will bring them back," New Ulm coach Tom Macho said. "Holy cow ... not a pretty effort, but a real gutsy effort by our kids. Especially the last half of that (third) period; we really had to scramble."

Goalie Gary Wurtzberger came out hot, stopping a few odd-man rushes to keep the Eagles in the game, and Thorson came through with his first tally at the 9:48 mark off an assist from Brandon Schmiesing. Schmiesing would have two assists in his first game in almost a year.

"(Schmiesing) broke his leg in the game against Austin last year," Macho said. "To come out and have two assists tonight was a big lift for us."

The first period would end tied as the Packers' Josh Hansen beat Wurtzberger at the 12:56 mark, but New Ulm would jump back in front as Brenton Clyne got behind the Austin defense and went 5-hole on goalie Matt Graff midway through the second. That score would hold up until a crazy third period due in large part to Wurtzberger, who totaled 33 saves to Graff's 10.

"We said at the start of the year that we're going to have good goaltending," Macho said of his junior tandem of Wurtzberger and Isaac Forstner. "It was a fine example of that tonight. First game out, and (Wurtzberger) made some saves when we were already looking at the scoreboard to light up. I don't know how he did it, but he did."

Thorson got the crowd going as his second goal of the night, off assists from Jamie Hoffmann and Clyne, gave the Eagles a two-goal advantage at the 6:44 mark of the third. That goal would begin a string of five goals in just over three minutes of time, as the Packers would score only to see New Ulm answer.

"That two-goal cushion is huge," Macho said. "When it's down to one, any shot can tie the score. That (cushion) made trouble for (Austin) because they always had to keep coming at us."

Andy Klapperick's goal at 7:29 brought Austin within 3-2, but Thorson would answer at the 9:22 mark for his hat trick of a pretty assist from Hoffmann, who split three defenders before sliding the puck to his linemate in the slot.

"Hoffmann just beat (Austin) that time," Macho said. "Just pure speed. We're happy that Thorson came keep up with him, and he has a knack for keeping up with him at the right times."

Nick Bowe would again get Austin within a goal at 9:47, only to see the Eagles push the lead back to two just eight seconds later as Schmiesing beat the defense and found Nate Richter, who put it past Graff. Jace Marti was also credited with an assist on the tally.

Hoffmann's major elbowing penalty in the final two minutes gave the Packers life, and captain Brent Cummings found the net at 14:03. The final minute ended on a 6-on-4 power play, but New Ulm held firm and took the win.

"This is a big win for us," Macho said. "Beating a Big Nine school in the first game of the season is a huge step."

The Eagles (1-0) hope to keep it going Saturday as they travel to face St. Michael/Albertville in a 3 p.m. Central Minnesota Conference matchup.

Austin 1 0 3 -- 4

New Ulm 1 1 3 -- 5

First Period

NU-Thorson (Schmiesing) PP 9:48; A-Hansen (Bowe, Schaefer) 12:56.

Second Period

NU-Clyne (unassisted) 8:07.

Third Period

NU-Thorson (Hoffmann, Clyne) 6:44; A-Klapperick (Wiechmann) 7:29; NU-Thorson (Hoffmann) PP 9:22; A-Bowe (Schaefer, Hansen) 9:47; NU-Richter (Schmiesing, Marti) 9:55; A-Cummings (Schaefer) PP 14:03.

Penalties -- Austin 6-for-12, New Ulm 6-for-15. Saves -- Austin (Matt Graff) 5-2-3 -- 10, New Ulm (Gary Wurtzberger) 9-11-13 -- 33.