Finlandia’s Brendan Erickson makes a pass during a game against Bethel earlier this season at the Houghton County Arena in Hancock. (Photo courtesy of Finlandia University)

DEPERE, Wis. — With a pair of losses on the road at No. 12 Aurora, the Finlandia Lions men’s hockey team have dropped to 0-4-1 overall and 0-2 in NCHA play. While they want to get things righted quickly, it will not be easy as they head on the road to face St. Norbert this weekend.

The Lions dropped 5-1 and 10-3 decisions to the Spartans last weekend. Lions coach Joe Burcar felt that his team was within striking distance both nights, but could not finish strong.

“Both games are identical,” he said. “Friday night, we had a chance, without a doubt. It’s 2-1 going into the third period, we have a power play, don’t capitalize. They got a couple goals that are suspect. Same thing on Saturday. It’s 5-3, we have a power play going into the third, and we don’t capitalize. They score some ugly goals and we just couldn’t maintain.”

Friday’s game was 1-1 6:54 into the middle frame after sophomore defenseman Brendan Erickson evened things.

However, that score held for just under 10 minutes before the Spartans regained the lead before adding three in the first 7:29 of the third to put the game out of reach.

“That’s something that we’ve been working on a lot is our defenseman joining the rush, being part of the power play,” Burcar said about Erickson’s goal. “(It’s) something that we work on a lot, just the execution from the blue line and getting pucks through.”

Saturday, freshman Matteo Ybarra scored twice in the first period to tie the game twice. The first-year forward continues to be impressive with four goals already on the season, which is a team-high.

“He didn’t play Friday night,” Burcar said. “So our first two goals on Saturday, he was just a spark to our team. In that game, he should have had, we thought he should have had, three or four on the chances that he had.

“He just brings that element to the ice that we haven’t seen in a while, that offensive spark. He’s a natural goal scorer.”

Nick Solema scored the other Lions’ goal, but only after the Spartans had struck three times after Ybarra’s second tally. Erickson had an assist on the goal, giving him two points on the weekend.

Junior forward P.J. Donnelly picked up an assist in Saturday’s contest. Burcar continues to be impressed with how he is finding ways to have an impact, now that he is healthy.

“It’s so good to see him healthy, it’s just nice to see,” said Burcar. “Junior year, this is where he should start producing, naturally, but you just feel good for a person like that. He has battled injuries for so many years. To see him play now, healthy and put together, this is what P.J. can do. This is what he’s been able to do.

“He’s worked so hard to get to this point, it’s just nice to see.”

Sophomore winger Max Messier also picked up two assists in the game Saturday. Burcar hopes that the success he had will help boost Messier to continue to get on the scoresheet in a positive way.

“We need Max to get going,” he said. “We really do. We’ve talked to Max. I’ve talked to Max.

“We’re changing his line a little bit. P.J. has got the flu this week, but I think he’s going to be good. So, I think he’ll be back and he skates with Max. He helps Max, and vice versa. But, we got to get Max going. He’s an integral part of this team right now.”

Scouting the Green Knights

The Green Knights are 3-0-1 on the season and 2-0 in NCHA play thanks to a win and a tie against No. 10 Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a sweep of Lawrence last weekend.

St. Norbert’s power play is rolling at 33.3% thanks to five goals in 15 attempts.

“The No. 1 thing you have to do against St. Norbert is you have to be disciplined in your systems, and you have to be disciplined in what the penalties you have. If we’re not disciplined in how we execute our gameplan, and stay disciplined after the whistle blows. We can’t afford to give them power play after power play.”

Senior forward Ben Schmidling leads the way with two goals and a team-high five points. Senior forward Michael McChesney had a team-high three goals and four points. Freshman forward Curtis Hammond had a team-high four assists.

In goal, the Green Knights are relying on both junior Johnny Roberts and senior Colby Entz. Roberts has a 1.44 goals against average and a .959 save percentage in two appearances. Entz has a 2.43 goals against average and a .914 save percentage in two appearances.