Justin Dade – Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team opened up their 2016-17 season on Friday night at Hobbs Ice Arena in an 8-1 win over Lawrence University.
After a slow start in the first few minutes, the Blugolds found their legs after killing off a crucial five-on-three Lawrence power play led by stellar goaltender play from Jay Deo (Sr. – Langley, British Columbia).
The Blugolds got a five-on-three power play of their own moments later and capitalized after one Lawrence player returned on a power-play goal from Mac Jansen (Jr. – White Bear Lake, MN) assisted by captain Jake Hopfner (Jr. – Eastpointe, MI).
After the first goal, UW-Eau Claire began to pour it on less than two minutes later on an incredible backhand goal placed top shelf by Garret Clemment (Sr. – Wausau, WI) unassisted.
Just over a minute later, Todd Koritzinsky (Jr. – Verona, WI) tapped in an airborne puck just outside the crease after a shot from Jansen to give the Blugolds a 3-0 advantage.
The Blugolds would add one more before the end of the period scored by Colton Wolter (Jr. – Fairbanks, AK) on a loose puck in front of the net assisted by Adam Kleven (Fr. - Peoria, AZ) and Bryan Sinz (Sr. -Anchorage, AK).
The second period was quiet for the first 10 minutes, but UW-Eau Claire didn't stay quiet for long as Mac Jansen got his second power-play goal of the game on a beautiful backdoor play set up by Jesse Tredinnick (Jr. – Onalaska, WI) and Lucas Kohls (Jr. – Forest Lake, MN).
Patrick Moore (Sr. Grand Rapids, MN) added to the Blugolds' lead just over a minute later on a beautiful pass on the blue line from Clemment.
Lawrence found the back of the net with 6:47 left in the period on a goal from Nick Felan.
UW-Eau Claire would add a late-period goal from Tredinnick as he picked up a rebound in front of the net assisted by Jansen and David Henry (Sr. – Foster City, CA) to make it 7-1 heading to the final frame.
The Blugolds would add a third-period goal from Adam Knochenmus (Sr. – Roseau, MN) to give UW-Eau Claire the impressive 8-1 victory.
Deo was strong in net for the Blugolds especially early on. The senior netminder finished with 22 saves giving up the lone goal.
Jansen finished the game with four points with the two goals and two assists.
The Blugolds (1-0) will take the ice again ice tomorrow night against Aurora University. Puck drop will be at 7:00 p.m. at Hobbs Ice Arena.
Follow the action all year long on Blugold Game Day.
