EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - A slow start didn't stop the UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team from taking down UW-Superior 3-1 in an NCHA matchup at Hobbs Ice Center tonight.
Superior broke through the defensive line and took control of the game early, seeing its one and only goal nine minutes into the first period. The Blugolds battled back and at 8:54 in the second period, Travis Peckskamp (Sr.- Sauk Rapids, Minn.) found the back of the net on an assist from Jack Callahan (So.- Red Bank, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy).
Eau Claire used the third period to seal the deal, getting goals from Jon Waggoner (Jr.-Fairbanks, Alaska/Lathrop) as well as Alex Olson (Jr.- Devils Lake, N.D.). Devin Mantha (Sr.-Sturgeon Falls, Ontario/Ann Arbor Pioneer) and Olson assisted Waggoner while Olson scored his goal, which was his first of the year, unassisted.
The game was relatively clean, with each team receiving only two penalties, none of which came in the second period. Both of Superior's came in the first period while Eau Claire had one penalty in the first and one in the third, both called for interference.
Superior outshot Eau Claire 39-22. Brandon Stephenson (Sr.- Saline, Mich.) had 38 saves in net for the Blugolds, grabbing his 12th win of the season.
UW-Eau Claire moves to 14-3-2 and 9-2-1 in NCHA play while UW-Superior falls to 10-8-1, 5-6-1 in the NCHA.
The Blugolds are back in action on Friday as they face-off against St. Norbert for a showdown between the league's top two teams (both have 19 points after this weekend). The puck drops at 7 p.m. in Hobbs.
-MW-