By Justin Dade, UWEC Sports Information
ST. CLOUD, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – The No. 7 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team tied with St. John's University (Minn.) 1-1 on Friday evening at the Municipal Athletic Complex.
The Blugolds got a late third period power-play goal from Ethan Nauman (Sr. – Mosinee, WI) to tie the game where it eventually ended 1-1 in overtime to stay unbeaten on the season.
There were no goals or penalties in the first period, but the Blugolds outshot the Johnnies 10-8, and also outworked them in the faceoff circle by winning 12 of the 18 draws.
Things opened up in the second period in the penalty department as the Blugolds' penalty kill denied four Johnnie power plays while only giving up two total shots in the period. Eau Claire fired 11 more shots on goal, but could not find a way to get the puck behind St. John's goalie Saxton Soley.
The Johnnies broke the tie in the third period off a goal from Matt Colford about six minutes into the period to give St. John's the lead.
Then, with just under four minutes left in the game, senior forward Ethan Nauman found the back of the net for his second goal of the year on the power play off a Johnnie turnover assisted by Brandon Wahlin (Jr. - White Bear Lake, MN) and Todd Koritzinsky So. – Verona, WI).
The Blugolds killed another late Johnnie power play to send the game into overtime where neither team could find a way to break the tie.
David Henry (Jr.-Foster City, CA) was productive in the faceoff circle winning 17 of his 27 attempts, and had five shots on goal in the game.
Goaltender Jay Deo (Jr. – Langley, British Columbia) finished the game with 19 saves on 20 shots. His record on the season now stands at 1-0-1.
The Blugolds will be back in action again tomorrow night on the road against Concordia-Moorhead. The puck will drop at 7 p.m. at the Moorhead Sports Center as Eau Claire looks to get back to their winning ways.