By Justin Dade, UWEC Sports Information
RIVER FALLS, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team defeated the UW-River Falls Falcons 2-1 on Thursday night at Hunt Arena.
In a must-win game on the road where the team has struggled, the Blugolds saw two defensemen tally their first ever collegiate goals in Logan Von Ruden (So. – Northfield, MN) and Austin Redders (Fr. – McFarland, WI).
The first period didn't feature much open ice with only 13 total shots on goal despite each team getting a chance on the power play. The Blugolds would limit the Falcons to just three shots on goal taking the 10-3 advantage in shots into the locker room in the scoreless tie.
Six more penalties would be called in the second period, but neither team could break the scoreless tie. The Blugolds would hold the advantage in shots on goal (19-9) and faceoff wins (14-13) after two periods of play.
It took over 52 minutes of hockey to break the tie, but UW-Eau Claire got the game's first goal from Von Ruden to make it 1-0 on a shot from the point. Jacob Wolter (Sr. – Fairbanks, AK) got the assist on Von Ruden's first collegiate goal.
Redders would add the important insurance goal unassisted just over five minutes later to make it 2-0.
The Falcons would make things interesting with less than two minutes left on a goal scored by Joe Drapluk to make it 2-1. UW-River Falls would pull their goaltender Zach Quinn with less than a minute left, but the Blugolds would hang on to the 2-1 win.
UW-Eau Claire has now won the last six meetings with the Falcons.
Zach Dyment (Fr. - Abbotsford, BC) made his sixth straight start in the cage for the Blugolds and saved 18 of the 19 shots he saw to improve to 4-2 on the season. The freshman netminder now has a goals allowed average of 1.48 and a .940 save percentage.
The Blugolds (12-7-0, 2-1-0) will look for their third conference win of the season tomorrow night as they take on No. 3 UW-Stevens Point at Hobbs Ice Arena for their first meeting of the season.
The game will be aired on WEAU TV13 with coverage starting at 7 p.m.
Follow all the action on Blugold Game Day.
