By Justin Dade, UWEC Sports Information
GENEVA, Ill. (Blugolds.com) - The No. 9 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team were far too much for Aurora University on Saturday night as nine different Blugolds found the back of the net in their 10-1 victory to improve to 2-0 on the season.
After taking the season opener the previous evening against Lawrence University, the team stayed hot on their road trip led by Adam Knochenmus (Jr. – Roseau, MN) with two goals and one assist on the night.
The scoring was opened up by David Henry (Jr. - Foster City, CA) early in the first period with assists from Knochenmus and Mac Jansen (So. - White Bear Lake MN), and then followed that up with his second goal not even three minutes later assisted by Lucas Kohls (So. - Forest Lake, MN).
Jansen led the Blugolds in points on the night with a goal of his own coming on the power play in the first period, while adding four assists.
The Blugolds added to their lead in the second period with a short-handed goal from Knochenmus assisted by Kohls and Ethan Nauman (Sr. - Mosinee, WI). This goal came as a response to a Spartan goal in the previous period and extended the UW-Eau Claire lead to 4-1.
The scoring opened up in a third period dominated by the Blugolds in which they tallied six goals with two coming on the power play. Jacob Wolter (So. – Fairbanks, AK), Derek Knetter (Sr. – Wausau, WI), and Jake Hopfner (So. – Eastpointe, MI) all found the back of the net for the first time this season in the period.
Knetter also led the Blugolds with an impressive +4 rating on the night.
Goaltender Tyler Green (Sr. - Noblesville, IN) allowed only one goal while saving 18 Aurora shots to improve to 2-0 on the season.
Through two games this season the Blugolds are averaging 40 shots per game, and have yet to concede a power-play goal while scoring four of their own with the man advantage.
The undefeated Blugolds will host Saint Mary's (MN) on Friday and Augsburg on Saturday in their first home games of the season. Game times are slated for 7 p.m. at Hobbs Ice Arena.
