By Justin Dade - Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The No. 6 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team took Game 2 from UW-River Falls by a final score of 6-3 on Friday night at Hobbs Ice Center to advance to the WIAC Tournament Championship game (presented by Culver's) next Saturday.
The Blugolds completed the semifinal sweep of the Falcons thanks to a strong four-goal performance from the senior top line of Patrick Moore (Sr. – Grand Rapids, MN), Adam Knochenmus (Sr. – Roseau, MN) and Garret Clemment (Sr. – Wausau, WI).
In contrast to the 3-1 final last night, both teams were flying around early finding more open ice in this elimination game than the previous evening.
The Falcons came out especially hot with their season on the line and perhaps surprised the Blugolds a little bit in the early going.
Dominant puck possession gave the Falcons the early lead as Jeff Bergh blasted a shot from the point just 2:25 into the game to make it 1-0.
The Blugolds responded about five and a half minutes later on Clemment's first goal of the evening to make it 1-1 with the assist going to Colton Wolter (Jr. – Fairbanks, AK).
Despite a shift in momentum, UW-River Falls would regain the lead as a Blugold turnover resulted in a breakaway for senior forward Mike Fazio who beat Deo five hole to give them the 2-1 lead with 10:19 left in the frame.
Like after the opening goal, the Blugolds would respond a few minutes later. Defenseman Logan Von Ruden (Fr. – Northfield, MN) blasted one from the point that deflected beautifully by Knochenmus into the back of the net behind goaltender Zach Quinn to knot things up 2-2. Clemment was also given an assist on the goal.
So after an eventful first period of play, the Blugolds would head into the locker room feeling good about responding to the strong play from the Falcons to avoid a deficit.
After an early wrap around goal from Kyle Gatelaro that gave the Falcons a 3-2 lead in the second period, the Blugolds took control getting two goals of their own in the frame. Moore and Bryan Sinz (Sr. – Anchorage, AK) gave UW-Eau Claire the 4-3 lead after two periods of play.
Alex Strand (Fr. – Roseau, MN) found the back of the net for the second time in the series to give the Blugolds a two-goal cushion assisted by Jesse Tredinnick (Jr. – Onalaska, WI).
Despite a strong end of the period from the Falcons, a Clemment empty-net goal would seal a 6-3 win for the home team.
Deo was in the crease for the Blugolds for the 27th consecutive time on the season. The senior net minder was absolutely crucial in this one especially late in the game. Deo saved 37 of the 40 shots he faced to improve to 18-6-3 in his final game at Hobbs Ice Center.
The Blugolds (18-6-3) will now travel to No. 3 UW-Stevens Point next Saturday for the WIAC Championship for the right to hoist the Commissioners' Cup. The puck will drop at 7 p.m. at KB Willett Arena in Stevens Point.
Follow all the action on Blugold Game Day.
