A special connection between rookies Joshua Braus and Yamil Darwich underscored and sparked Milwaukee’s 5-4 shootout win over Aurora University on Saturday, Dec. 13, rebounding from Friday’s 9-0 loss.
Braus sealed the victory in the sixth round of the shootout, scoring the game-winning goal. Forwards Jack Catherall and Peter Morrell also scored in the shootout, with Catherall extending the contest with a do-or-die goal in the fourth round. Goaltender Jesse Pope made four saves in the shootout period and earned his first win of the season.
After a scoreless first period and a 2-0 deficit earlier in the second, Morrell opened the scoring for Milwaukee late in the period. He later completed his second hat-trick of the season with the game-tying goal late in regulation, forcing overtime.
The momentum-changing play came early in the third period in a crucial 4-on-4 battle. Darwich completed a backdoor finish, sneaking the puck past the right pad of Aurora goaltender Jake Mehaljevic after Milwaukee had fallen behind 3-1. The goal marked Darwich’s first in the American Collegiate Hockey Association. Rookie Anthony Serevino and alternate captain Marco Porras earned the assists.
Darwich’s breakthrough came after 20 long games marked by near misses and mounting frustration. Ahead of Saturday’s contest, Darwich missed the net on a breakaway goal opportunity in game one of the series at Aurora.
“I’ve been living in the gambler’s fallacy,” Darwich said. “I’ve been due for a goal for so long, and I mean, I finally got it.”
Following the goal, Milwaukee’s bench erupted. Darwich said teammates and coaches greeted him with celebrations as he returned to the bench, including Al Vizgaitis, who reached over the penalty box glass to congratulate him. Vizgaitis later told Darwich in the locker room that he was proud of Darwich for finally achieving the milestone.
Although, the most notable reaction to the momentous occasion came from Braus, one of Darwich’s closest friends on the roster.
“Josh was having the time of his life,” Darwich said. “He hugged me four times. He was like, ‘You finally did it.’”
Braus echoed the sentiment.
“You won’t find somebody who’s happier than I was for him there,” Braus said. “I knew how relieved he felt.”
Milwaukee’s coaches did not originally plan to put Darwich on the ice during the 4-on-4 sequence, Braus said. He said he overheard the coaches discussing a different option, but he advocated for Darwich to be the choice, given his speed.
“This is his chance,” Braus told the coaches. “If he’s got the space, let him have it.”
Braus’ awareness carried into the shootout. He said he studied Mehaljevic’s movements, noting the goaltender’s eagerness to bite on shots and conduct poke checks.
After Aurora scored in the fourth round, Braus expected the contest to conclude. However, Catherall’s high-pressure, do-or-die goal kept Milwaukee alive for another round. After coaches sent Vizgaitis out as the fifth-round shooter, Braus realized he would likely follow.
“My mind went to ‘Please, Al. Score. I don’t want to do this,’” Braus said. “When he missed, dread came over me very quickly.”
Pope made a key save in the sixth round, setting the stage for Braus to end it. After scoring, Braus said his first instinct was to skate across the ice and thank Pope.
“The fact that I completed the win didn’t matter to me as much as the team got a great win,” Braus said.
Darwich said seeing Braus’ excitement earlier in the game made the shootout goal even more meaningful.
“It was just pure happiness at that moment,” Darwich said.
Milwaukee finds itself in playoff contention as the team enters the final six games of the regular season with improved morale and momentum. The team looks to maintain intensity and reinforce the tight-knit bonds, Braus and Darwich said. Personally, both teammates hope to score a few more goals before the end of the regular season.
Milwaukee will visit the 10-5-1 Lewis University Flyers for a series starting on Jan. 16, 2026. A split in the series would likely secure the team a berth in the Northern Collegiate Hockey League postseason tournament.
Great article. Hopefully the team can explode here in the 2nd half.