NORTHFIELD, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team faced off against St. Olaf (Minn.) on Saturday and the two teams played to a 2-2 overtime draw.
It was the second straight overtime game for the Blugolds, after losing 2-1 in overtime to Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.) last Saturday.
St. Olaf took an early lead with two quick goals late in the first period.
The Blugolds responded with an early second period goal off the stick of Mark Pustin (Jr.-Northridge, Calif./Granada Hills). Both Brian Nehring (Jr.-Hopedale, Mass./Milford) and Alex Olson (Jr.-Devils Lake, N.D.) assisted the goal.
Eau Claire struck again with a game tying goal in the 16th minute of the second period. Devin Mantha (Sr.-Sturgeon Falls, Ontario/Ann Arbor Pioneer) scored the goal, with Pustin and Travis Peckskamp (Sr.-Sauk Rapids, Minn.) assisting.
Neither team scored in the third period or in overtime. The Blugold defense held the Ole's to a mere two shots in the overtime period.
The Blugolds recorded 34 shots the St. Olaf's 22 shots. Isaiah Bennis (Sr.-Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial) led the Blugolds with six shots.
Blugolds' keeper Brandon Stephenson (Sr.-Saline, Mich.) played well, stopping 20 of St. Olaf's shots. He is now 10-2-2 on the season.
The Blugolds are now 12-3-2 on the season. St. Olaf is 5-8-2.
UW-Eau Claire will play UW-Superior next weekend at Hobbes Ice Center for the Blugolds Alumni Weekend. The games will be played on Friday at 7 p.m. and on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
-BP-