BY TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The East Merrill Newman United (EMU) Bluejacks Varsity Hockey Team took on Regis/Altoona/McDonnell (RAM) in a non-Conference game on Feb. 3, 2024, at the Merrill Area Recreation Center (MARC) rink and scored another 6-5 Bluejacks win in overtime.
RAM scored first at 2:51 into the first period with an early lead, but Bluejacks #24 Vinny Newman-Knuckles evened it up with a goal, assisted by #17 Zach Pagel and #12 Brody Trantow at 8:04. Then Bluejacks #27 Nick Bodner scored another with an assist from #12 Trantow to pull ahead at 14:05, but RAM quickly scored a second goal to even things up, and the teams were tied 2-2 at the buzzer.
In the second period, RAM scored two goals and the Bluejacks remained scoreless, ending the second period 2-4 with RAM in the lead.
Third period EMU scored two, with Bluejacks #26 Brody Klebenow and #17 Pagel both scoring goals unassisted at 4:49 and 5:23, respectively. And then Bluejacks #27 Bodner made a powerplay with an assist from #8 Connor McCorkle and #12 Trantow at 11:57 to pull ahead by one. RAM fired back with a goal at 16:43 to tie things up before the buzzer, setting the teams up for an overtime face-off.
EMU won that challenge when #17 Pagel scored the winning goal with an assist from #15 Jackson Pierce. Final score: 6-5 for another Bluejacks win.
Goalie #31 Chase Klebenow made 30 saves in the game.
“The whole coaching staff is very proud of the boys for showing resilience and battling back for a great win!” said Assistant EMU Bluejacks Coach Greg Glovinski.
Box Score
Regis/Altoona/McDonnell 5 @ East Merrill Newman United 6