EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – Down 3-1, the ninth-ranked UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team closed to within one goal of fifth-ranked Adrian College but a Blugold game misconduct in the third period took the wind out of the sails of an Eau Claire rally as the Blugolds fell to the Bulldogs 5-2 here tonight at Hobbs Ice Center.
The Blugolds fall to 3-2-1 on the season while Adrian improves to 7-0-0. It was the first-ever win by Adrian over Eau Claire as the Blugolds had won the only two previous meeting between both schools.
Down 2-0 after Adrian scored its second goal at 1:04 of the second period, Ethan Nauman (Jr.-Mosinee, WI) scored his team-leading fifth goal of the season at 2:20 assisted by Jack Callahan (Sr.-Red Bank, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) and Adam Knochenmus (So.-Roseau, MN) cutting the Bulldog lead in half. Adrian added a third goal at 6:10 making the score 3-1 but Eau Claire charged back as Todd Koritzinsky (Fr.-Verona, WI) scored his first goal as a Blugold assisted by Jeff Pauluk (Jr.-Bloomington, MN/Jefferson) and Mac Jansen (Fr.-White Bear Lake, MN) to get back within one goal.
The Blugolds played a very aggressive third period producing several good scoring opportunities. As Adrian held onto a 3-2 lead the Blugolds were called for a five-minute major for checking from behind which also lead for a game misconduct with 14:58. The Bulldogs took advantage of the situation scoring power play goals at 17:52 and 18:28 of the third period putting the game out of reach.
Only seven total penalties were called for the game with three of those penalties being called at one time. The Blugolds were 0-for-2 on the power play while Adrian converted two-of-four opportunities. Eau Claire was outshot 35-29.
Goalie Jay Deo (So.-Langley, BC) saved 30 shots. His season record now stands at 1-2-1.
The Blugolds return to the ice tomorrow night at Hobbs Ice Center where they will face Lake Forest College of Illinois. The Foresters are currently receiving votes in the latest USCHO.com NCAA Division III National Poll and tied top-ranked St. Norbert College last weekend. Face-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
-KCM-