By Justin Dade - Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The No. 13 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team defeated the Bethel University Royals 6-2 in the home opener on Friday night at a packed Hobbs Ice Center for youth night.
The Blugolds have now won seven straight over the Royals dating back to 2006 thanks to a strong offensive performance led by forward Alex Strand (So. – Roseau, MN) who contributed two goals early on in the first period.
After an opening weekend of mixed results on the road, the Blugolds got back on track at home despite committing 13 penalties.
The first period began with quite a fast pace that finished with both teams firing at least 10 shots on goal.
UW-Eau Claire was 0-8 with the man advantage heading into this game but that changed about four and a half minutes into the first period on Strand's first goal of the night to make it 1-0. Johnny Mueller (Jr. - St. Peters, MO) and Nathan Dingmann (Fr. – Plymouth, MN) were credited with the assists on Strand's first goal of the year.
Strand would add his second of the evening just 30 seconds later on a one-timer off a perfect pass from Dingmann placed over goaltender Aaron Furlano's right shoulder to make it 2-0. Forward Lucas Kohls (Jr. – Forest Lake, MN) was credited for the second assist on the tally.
UW-Eau Claire would take the 2-0 lead into the locker room after killing off four total Bethel power plays including a 5-on-3 chance.
It took less than two minutes into the second frame for the Blugolds to add to their lead as Todd Koritzinsky (Sr. – Verona, WI) buried one past Furlano to make it 3-0. The assists were credited to Mac Jansen (Sr. – White Bear Lake, MN) and Tyler Tomberlin (So. – St. Paul, MN) who earned his first point as a Blugold.
Captain Jake Hopfner (Sr. – Eastpointe, MI) netted a loose puck in front of the net around a pile in front of Furlano who saw the fourth puck of the game go past him with 11:50 left in the period. T.J. Stuntz (Sr. – Austin, TX) and Braden Mitchell (So. – Anchorage, AK) earned assists on Hopfner's second goal of the season.
The Royals would get on the board catching the Blugolds on a line change that turned into a two-on-one opportunity. Peter Barral beat goaltender Camden Haugenoe (Fr. - Williston, ND) to make it 4-1 with 7:30 left in the period.
Shots were locked at 21 apiece, and the Royals held a slight advantage in faceoff wins after two periods of play. The Blugolds were able to fight off eight total penalties in the 40 minutes.
The third period started off with a bang as Eau Claire native Jake Bresser (So. – Eau Claire, WI) buried a one-timer off a great feed from Colton Wolter (Sr. – Fairbanks, AK) to make it 5-1 just under three minutes into the period. Tyler Hart (Jr. – Woodbury, MN) was credited with the second assist on Bresser's first goal of the year.
UW-Eau Claire finally conceded on the penalty kill just before the midpoint of the period on a shot from Dallas Marvin right underneath the blocker of Haugenoe to cut the lead to 5-2. Despite conceding down a man, the Blugolds were still able to kill off eight other power-play opportunities for the Royals on the night. Their penalty kill percentage now sits at 91.7 for the season.
After starting last season off hot with nine goals in the first 11 games, Jansen got his first tally of the season on a brilliant pass from Tomberlin to make it 6-2 with 8:07 left in the game.
Things got extra physical late in the game, but UW-Eau Claire was able to escape healthy with the lopsided victory to improve to 2-1.
Haugenoe made his third consecutive start in net for the Blugolds and earned the win to improve to 2-1 on the season saving 30 of the 32 shots he faced. Through three games, the freshman maintains a 1.98 goals allowed average and a save percentage of .921.
Penalties continue to be an issue for a relatively young team looking to form an identity. UW-Eau Claire will look to cut down and what is now an average of 10 infractions per game.
The Blugolds (2-1-0) will be back at Hobbs tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. for a matchup with Hamline University. The Pipers are coming off an upset win on the road against UW-Stevens Point. UW-Eau Claire defeated Hamline 5-4 last season in overtime in St. Paul.
Follow all the action on Blugold Game Day.
