EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team returned home to Hobbs Ice Arena on Friday night, hosting Northland College for another WIAC matchup. The Blugolds would open the weekend series strong, coming away with a 2-0 victory for their fourth-straight win.
After the scoring the game-winner in overtime in the Blugolds' last game, Ty Readman (Sr. – Edmonton, Alberta/Vimy Ridge Academy) picked up where he left off, opening the scoring on Friday night with a goal at 15:03 of the first period. Willy Stauber (So. – Duluth, MN/Marshall) would tally the assist on Readman's sixth goal of the season.
Both teams would have more scoring opportunities in the first, but Northland's Viktor Wennberg and Eau Claire's Ryan Ouellette (Fr. – Colorado Springs, CO/Liberty) would come up with big saves, maintaining the Blugolds' 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
The second period saw much of the same, but this time neither team could find the back of the net. The Blugold offense out-shot the Lumberjacks 14-6 in the frame to give them a 26-11 advantage after two periods of play.
In the third, the physical play from the first two periods continued. The Blugolds keep the pressure on offense and would add to their lead with a goal from Quinn Green (So. – West Chicago, IL/St. Charles East) at 7:48. Stauber would be credited with the assist for his second point of the night.
Ouellette had another impressive night in goal, recording 18 saves in the shutout. For the game, the Blugolds out-shot the Lumberjacks 32-18.
Eau Claire (10-11-0, 6-6-0 WIAC) and Northland (4-15-3, 1-9-1 WIAC) will be back at Hobbs on Saturday for another 7 p.m. tilt.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on the app, UWEC Blugolds.
