Justin Dade – Sports Information
RIVER FALLS, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The No. 8 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey won their sixth straight game taking down UW-River Falls 2-1 on Saturday night at Hunt Arena.
After a very slow first 15 minutes of play, the Bluglds struck first on a goal from Kyle Lee (Jr. - Wausau, WI) assisted by Jesse Tredinnick (Jr. - Onalaska, WI) and captain Jake Hopfner (Jr. - Eastpointe, MI) at the 4:52 mark of the opening period.
After struggling on Thursday on the penalty kill, the Blugolds took a 1-0 lead into locker room after 20 minutes of play after killing off two Falcons' power plays.
The Falcons would make the Blugolds pay on their fourth man advantage of the night to tie the game up 1-1 on a goal scored by Christian George with 9:50 left to play in the second period.
UW-Eau Claire would regain the lead about five minutes later on another goal scored by the Hopfner-Tredinnick-Lee line to make it 2-1. Hopfner's goal was his fourth of the season.
Mac Jansen (Jr. – White Bear Lake, MN) gave the Blugolds some insurance at the 6:55 mark of the third period assisted by Patrick Moore (Sr. – Grand Rapids, MN) and David Henry (Sr. – Foster City, CA). Jansen now leads the team in goals with nine.
Goaltender Jay Deo (Sr. - Langley, British Columbia) made his 11th straight start and saved 20 of the 21 shots he faced in the win to improve to 8-1-2 on the season.
The Blugolds (8-1-2) will look to keep rolling next weekend as they hit the road for another trip to Minnesota. UW-Eau Claire will take on Hamline University on Friday night and then Gustavus Adolphus College the following night.
Follow the action all year long on Blugold Game Day.
