By: Justin Dade – UWEC Sports Information
RIVER FALLS, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The No. 7 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team fell 2-1 to the No. 11 River Falls Falcons on Thursday night behind strong goaltender play from Tanner Milliron.
The Blugolds have now dropped both games in the series against the Falcons for the year and have dropped two games in a row for the first time all season.
No scoring came in the first period, but UW-Eau Claire started the night strong finishing the period with a lead in shots on goal and faceoffs won.
The Falcons got on the board first with 4:44 remaining in the second period on the power play with the goal coming from Brian Drapluk.
Late in the third period, the Falcons added to their lead with 1:10 seconds left in the game on a goal from Danny Hamburg.
With an empty net behind them, the Blugolds rallied by finding the back of the net just 14 seconds later on a goal from Patrick Moore (Jr. – Grand Rapids, MN) assisted by Jason Eddy (Jr. – Woodbury, MN) and Colton Wolter (So. – Fairbanks, AK). Moore's goal was his fourth in the team's last five games.
The Blugolds went empty net again with time running low, but were unable to add another goal to tie the game late.
Goaltender Tyler Green (Sr. – Noblesville, IN) played very well once again saving 31 of the 33 Falcon shots on goal. Green's record will now drop to 7-4-1 with this loss.
The Blugolds (11-5-2) will look to end their losing skid tomorrow night in a huge matchup with the No. 4 UW-Stevens Point Pointers. The puck will drop at 7 p.m. at Hobbs Ice Arena.