EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – Down 2-0 at the end of the first period, the ninth-ranked UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team scored five goals in the final two periods to defeat Hamline University 5-2 here tonight at Hobbs Ice Center.
The Blugolds improve to 2-0-1 with the victory while the Pipers fall to 2-3-0. It was the fourth straight win for the Blugolds over the Pipers. Eau Claire has outscored Hamline 21-10 during the streak.
Trailing 2-0 entering the second period, the Blugolds started their scoring spree when forward Patrick Moore (So.-Grand Rapids, MN) scored a short-handed goal at 2:38 assisted by forward Ethan Nauman (Jr.-Mosinee, WI) cutting the Hamline lead to 2-1. Nauman tied the game at 2-2 when he scored his first goal of the year assisted by defenseman Joe Schmitz (Jr.-Lino Lake, MN/Centennial) and David Henry (So.-Forest City, CA/Junipero Serra). With less than a minute to go in the second period defenseman Preston Hodge (So.-Normal, IL) scored his first play of the season on a power play at 19:07 assisted by Henry and Adam Knochenmus (So.-Roseau, MN) giving the Blugolds their first lead of the game at 3-2.
The third saw much the same from the Blugolds-stifling defense and an opportunistic offense. Nauman scored his second goal of the night at 11:46 assisted by forwards Jake Hopfner (Fr.-Eastpointe, MI/Warren Woods Tower) and Jesse Tredinnick (Fr.-Onalaska, WI) extending the lead to 4-2. Forward Jason Eddy (So.-Woodbury, MN) closed out the game scoring his first goal of the year assisted by Brandon Wahlin (So.-St. Paul, MN/White Bear Lake) and Ross Andersen (Sr.-River Falls, WI).
Goalie Tyler Green (Jr.-Noblesville, IN) saved 16 shots on the evening to improve his season record to 2-0-0.
The Blugolds return to Hobbs Ice Center tomorrow night where they will face Bethel University. Face off is set for 7:00 p.m.
-KCM-