EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) — It would be difficult to imagine a better start to the season for the UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team. A 4-1 win Saturday night at Hobbs Ice Center gave the Blugolds their second NCHA victory in as many games.
More importantly, it gave them a two game sweep over their rival, UW-Stout.
After a 4-2 victory Friday night, the two teams took to the ice again. The Blue Devils came out much stronger than the night before and were not about to hand the Blugolds a series sweep. Neither team scored in the first period, but there were six penalties handed out.
For the second straight night, a major checking from behind with a game misconduct was assessed. The Blue Devils were the guilty party, but on the delayed penalty, the Blugolds got on the scoreboard.
Ethan Nauman (Fr.-Mosinee, Wis./Mosinee) scored the first goal of his collegiate career on assists to Niko Kapetanovic (Jr.-North Prairie, Wis./Kettle Moraine) and Andrew McCabe (Sr.-Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial).
UW-Stout responded at 15:42 to tie the game back up at 1-1. That is how the second period ended and that set the stage for an exciting third period.
The Blugolds struck early in the period as Andrew Wilcox (Sr.-Rochester, Minn./Century) buried his second goal of the year on an assist by Daniel Olszewski (Jr.-Janesville, Wis./Craig) at 1:54 of the period.
The two paired up again for the third UW-Eau Claire goal at 16:15, giving the Blugolds a two goal lead on Wilcox' second goal of the night.
At 18:02, Jordan Singer (Sr.-Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) scored a power-play goal for good measure. Olszewski and Jack Callahan (So.-Red Bank, NJ/Christian Brothers) assisted on the goal to finish off the Blue Devils.
The Blugolds outshot the Blue Devils 46-23 in the game, but Brandon Stephenson (Sr.-Saline, Mich./Saline) was good when he had to be in goal. He made 22 saves and picked up his second win of the year in another strong performance between the pipes.
The Blugolds will now hit the road for six straight road games after scoring eight goals in their first two home games of the year. They travel to St. Paul, Minn. next Friday to take on Hamline University in a non-conference matchup set for 7 p.m. Saturday they will take on Bethel University in another non-conference game at 7 p.m.
-JM-