By: Justin Dade – UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The No. 7 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team skated to a tie with the UW-Stout Blue Devils on Thursday night at Hobbs Ice Arena. With this tie, the Blugolds will finish 1-0-1 in the "War on I-94" rivalry with UW-Stout for the season.
After the Blugolds took the UW-Stevens Point Pointers into overtime and earned a victory in their previous game, UW-Eau Claire was unable to earn a win as Blue Devils' goalie Nick Schmit turned in a very strong performance.
The Blugolds started off rather slow in this game struggling to create scoring chances, but they found the back of the net first 5:17 into the first period as Jesse Tredinnick (So. – Onalaska, WI) cleaned up a rebound in front of the net for his seventh goal of the season assisted by Preston Hodge (Jr - Normal,. IL) and Ethan Nauman (Sr. – Mosinee, WI).
The Blue Devils played a very strong first period, and it continued in the second as they tied up the game 1-1 on a goal from Trey Gardner during a delayed penalty call on the Blugolds.
UW-Stout earned their first lead of the game 7:48 into the third period on a goal from Joe Kleven to give the Blue Devils the 2-1 advantage.
Despite being outshot in every period and struggling in the faceoff circle, the Blugolds would begin to create more scoring chances as the third period went along.
Garret Clemment (Jr. – Wausau, WI) was able to tie the game back up at 2-2 on an unassisted goal as he used his speed to create a breakaway opportunity that he didn't waste.
Both teams had one shot on goal in the overtime period, but neither team was able to steal a victory, as this game will go down as the Blugolds' third tie of the season.
Patrick Moore (Jr. - Grand Rapids, MN) had another very strong outing in the faceoff circle winning 18 of his 26 opportunities.
Tyler Green (Sr. Noblesville, IN) was strong for the Blugolds in net on the night as he managed to make the highest save total of the season saving 45 of the 47 Blue Devil shots on goal. The senior goaltender's record will move to 8-4-2.
The Blugolds (12-5-3, 2-2-1 WIAC) will be back in action on the road this Saturday night as they travel to Superior to take on the UW-Superior Yellowjackets at 7 p.m.