SUPERIOR, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – Tied 3-3 with 18 minutes remaining in the third period, the 13th-ranked UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team scored the final two goals of the game to defeat UW-Superior 5-3 here tonight at Siinto S. Wessman Arena.
The Blugolds improved to 13-5-2 overall and 5-2-0 in the WIAC while the Yellowjackets fall to 7-15-0 and 0-9-0 in conference play. Eau Claire has won five straight games over Superior and are unbeaten in the last 13 match-ups between both schools, going 10-0-3 during that stretch. The Blugolds have not lost at Wessman Arena since falling 3-0 on November 21, 2009.
Brandon Wahlin (So.-White Bear Lake, MN) gave the Blugolds a 1-0 lead scoring his ninth goal of the season at 5:34 of the first period. The goal was assisted by Patrick Moore (So.-Grand Rapids, MN) and Ross Andersen (Sr.-River Falls, WI).
Superior stormed out of the locker room in the second period scoring goals at 1:19 and 7:30 taking a 2-1 lead. The Blugolds answered the Yellowjacket run when David Henry (So.-Foster City, CA/Junipero Serra) tied the game scoring his third goal of the season at 10:45 assisted by Adam Knochenmus (So.-Roseau, MN) and Ethan Nauman (Jr.-Mosinee, WI). Eau Claire regained the lead when Andersen scored his 14th goal of the season at 15:46 of the second period assisted by Moore and Wahlin.
The Yellowjackets tied the game at 3-3 scoring at 2:00 of the third period but the Blugolds regained the lead and did not relinquish it. Moore scored his sixth goal of the season at 10:50 of the third period assisted by Andersen giving the Blugolds a 4-3 lead. Knochenmus capped off the night with a power play goal at 13:53 of the third period assisted by Moore and Andersen securing a 5-3 Blugold victory.
Andersen and Moore each scored one goal and three assists ending the night with four points. Henry and Wahlin scored two points apiece each scoring a goal and an assists. Andersen, Nauman and Wahlin each have scored 25 points this season while Moore follows closely behind at 23 points.
Goalie Tyler Green (Jr.-Noblesville, IN) saved 18 shots in 60 minutes of action to earn the win. His season record now stands at 8-3-1.
Eau Claire outshot Superior 36-21. The Blugolds were whistled for just two infractions serving four penalty minutes while the Yellowjackets were called for four minor penalties receiving eight minutes. Eau Claire went one-for-four on power play opportunities while Superior went scoreless its two chances.
The Blugolds return to Superior tomorrow night to square off against the Yellowjackets at Wessman Arena. Face-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
-KCM-