By Justin Dade - Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The No. 12 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team fell to the No. 1 St. Norbert College Green Knights 3-1 on Friday night at a packed Hobbs Ice Center.
Despite outshooting the Green Knights 38-17, the Blugolds were unable to take advantage of the extra opportunities to fall to 4-3 on the season due in large part to a strong outing from St. Norbert goaltender T.J. Black.
The first period began with a few big hits delivered by the Green Knights that really set the tone for what would be a rather physical night. The two teams seemed to just try and get the feel for one another in a first period that didn't feature much open ice for either team.
The Blugolds did gain some momentum at the end of the period following a huge penalty kill, but they couldn't find the back of the net after shifting the ice. The Green Knights have yet to give up a first period goal on the season. UW-Eau Claire would lead 13-7 in shots on goal after 20 minutes in the 0-0 tie.
St. Norbert would only register five shots on goal in the second period, but two of them would end up behind goaltender Camden Haugenoe (Fr. Williston, ND). Captain Tanner Froese beat the freshman netminder on a wraparound goal at the 8:08 mark, and Steven Phillips cleaned up a rebound in front close to seven minutes later to make it 2-0.
The Blugolds would again find some momentum at the end of the period, but they were unable to make the most of their opportunities outshooting St. Norbert 10-5.
The Green Knights would add to their lead with 11:13 left in the third period on a goal scored by Luke Davison to make it 3-0.
UW-Eau Claire would finally break through just 28 seconds later after a St. Norbert turnover scored by captain Jake Hopfner (Sr. – Eastpointe, MI) to make it 3-1. T.J. Stuntz (Sr. – Austin, TX) was credited with the lone assist on Hopfner's fifth tally of the season.
The Blugolds would apply pressure late in the period aided by a late power-play opportunity, but were unable to cut the deficit any further.
Haugenoe made his seventh consecutive start in net for the Blugolds and will fall to 4-3 on the season saving 14 of the 17 shots he faced on the night.
The Blugolds (4-3-0) will look to get back on track tomorrow night against Lawrence University. The puck will drop at 7:00 p.m. at Hobbs Ice Center.
Follow all the action on Blugold Game Day.
