By: Justin Dade – UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The No. 6 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team returned to their winning ways Saturday night at Hobbs Ice Arena taking down the Foresters of Lake Forest College 5-1.
The Blugolds finished their weekend at home with a much-needed win to improve their season record to 5-1-2 in a game where they dominated in the offensive zone, time and puck possession.
The first period began with a brisk pace that led to a much crisper performance including 16 shots on goal from UW-Eau Claire. The Blugolds only conceded eight shots on their own goal, and had the slight edge in face-offs by leading 15-14 in the category at the end of the first that saw no goals.
The Blugolds broke through in the second period just under three minutes into the frame on a goal from Adam Knochenmus (Jr. – Roseau, MN) after a Forester turnover. Knochenmus' eighth goal of the season was assisted by Garret Clemment (Jr. – Wausau, WI) gave the team much needed momentum.
Just twelve minutes later, the Blugolds put another one behind Forester goalie Leo Podolsky on another goal from Adam Knochenmus assisted again by Clemment and Patrick Moore (Jr. - Grand Rapids, MN).
With this performance, Knochenmus now leads the Blugolds with 12 points, and an impressive +7 rating on the season.
The Foresters committed a 10-minute game misconduct penalty hallway through the third period, and even though the Blugolds did not manage to score on the five minute major, the scoring would soon open up.
The Blugolds would add three more goals in the last five-and-a-half minutes in the period to put the game out of reach for Lake Forest.
Clemment, Moore, and Brandon Wahlin (Jr. - White Bear Lake, MN) all found the back of the net as UW-Eau Claire took the lead in commanding fashion.
The Foresters would add a late goal to avoid the shutout with less than 30 seconds left in the game.
Clemment finished the game with three points and added three shots on goal on his way to an impressive +4 rating. Moore also had three points in the game and added four more shots on net.
Goaltender Jay Deo (Jr. – Langley, British Columbia) got the start in net for the Blugolds after getting the night off the previous evening. The junior was solid all game long allowing only the late goal. Deo saved 27 of the 28 Lake Forest shots to improve his record to 3-0-1 for the season.
