Justin Dade – UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The No. 6 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team home opener ended in a 3-3 tie with St. Mary's University (Minn.) on Friday night at Hobbs Ice Arena.
The Blugolds' strong comeback bid fell short, as the Cardinals were able to add a late third period goal to send the game to overtime where it eventually ended in a tie.
The scoring was opened by the Cardinals 13 minutes into the first period with a deflection goal in front of the net credited to Jared Johnson. The Cardinals then added a late goal with 19 seconds remaining on the power play by Jay Heinle.
The Blugolds came alive in the second period with the help of Cardinal turnovers to change the momentum with scoring chances.
RJ Majkozak (So. - White Bear Lake MN) got the Blugolds on the board in the second period with a big goal at 14:28 in the second period with assists from Brandon Wahlin (Jr. - White Bear Lake, MN) and Ethan Nauman (Sr. - Mosinee, WI).
Just 39 seconds later, Preston Hodge (Jr. – Oregon, WI) found the back of the net for the fourth time this season with the tying goal on the power play assisted by Todd Koritzinsky (So. Verona, WI).
Then in the third period, the Blugolds broke the tie and found their first lead of the game with another power goal scored this time by Adam Knochenmus (Jr. – Roseau, MN) from a beautiful pass from captain Jeffrey Pauluk (Sr. – Bloomington, MN).
The Blugolds were outmatched in the face-off circle early in the game, but were able to turn things around for the most part, as they seemed to be on their way to their third straight victory to start the season.
The Cardinals had other plans late in the third period as junior forward Bob Kinne found the back of the net with 3:13 left in the game to tie it back up.
Both teams had scoring chances in the final minutes of regulation and into the five minute overtime period, but neither team could find a way win the game.
The Blugolds finished 2-for-4 on the power play for the game, and ended with 32 shots on goal.
Goaltender Tyler Green (Sr. - Noblesville, IN) allowed three goals while saving 38 Cardinals' shots on the night and stopping all six Cardinal chances in overtime. Green now has a season record of 2-0-1.
The Blugolds will look to return to their winning ways tomorrow night against Augsburg. Puck drop will once again be at 7 p.m. at Hobbs Ice Arena.
