By Nick Hoven, UWEC Sports Information
STEVENS POINT, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team competed in the 2020 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Championship on Saturday. After falling behind early, the Blugolds would bounce back with four unanswered goals to secure the 4-2 victory and Commissioner's Cup trophy.
The beginning of the game was an uncharacteristic one for Eau Claire, after falling behind 2-0 in the first 12 minutes of the contest. Before tonight's game, the Blugolds were 1-2-1 after trailing in the first period of play. Zach Kennedy (Jr. – Eagle River, WI/Northland Pines) would get Eau Claire on the board with less than two minutes remaining in the period. His wide-angle shot would be the first in the Blugold comeback.
With momentum from the first tally, the Blugolds would strike early and often. Andrew McGlynn (So. St., Louis, MO/Christian Brothers College) and Jake Bresser (Sr. – Eau Claire, WI/Memeorial) would both score in the first eight minutes of the middle period to gain the first lead of the game for Eau Claire. Both their goals, separated by just two minutes, would prove worthy of a successful road trip.
Logan Von Ruden (Sr. – Northfield, MN) would extend the lead moments later with a shot from the point to make it 4-2. Despite pressure the rest of the period, the Pointers could not break the Eau Claire defensive stance, and the Blugolds would hang on for the win.
Zach Dyment (Jr. – Abbotsford, BC/Yale Secondary) stopped 23 of the 25 shots he faced in his 19th win of the season. He is now 19-3-2 in his third season and 47-14-5all time.
The Blugolds captured their third Commissioner's Cup title in program history. The other two came in 2016 and 2013. The NCAA Division III Men's Hockey Selection Show is scheduled for Monday, March 9th at 10:30 EST hosted by ncaa.com. You follow the stream at https://www.ncaa.com/sports/icehockey-men/d3.
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