Posted: Jan 12, 2013
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) — The UW-Eau Claire women's hockey team got off to the start it needed to, trying to rebound from a 7-1 loss Saturday night, but Lake Forest, Ill. finished stronger and picked up the 3-1 victory at Hobbs Ice Center.
Despite being outplayed in the first period, the Blugolds (6-8-3, 5-5-2 NCHA) struck first for the 1-0 lead. At 18:13 Alyssa Ahlgren (So.-Hayward, Wis./Hayward) found the back of the net on assists by Allison Malecek (Sr.-Maple, Minn./Delano) and Casey McMullen (Sr.-Minneapolis, Minn./South).
The Blugolds also got strong goaltending from Paige Turner (Fr.-Iron River, Wis./Duluth East) who made 16 saves to keep the Foresters off the board.
Lake Forest continued to dominate much of the play in the second, but Turner stood strong. But at 15:03 they finally solved Turner on a nice tip in front on a shot from the point on the power-play.
It appeared the teams were headed to the locker room tied at 1-1, but the Foresters changed the complexion of the game in the blink of an eye.
With just 25 seconds left in the period, Lake Forest struck again to take the 2-1 lead. Just 14 second later, they scored again to take a 3-1 lead into the second intermission.
Neither team was able to break through in the third period, as the Blugolds applied more pressure in the offensive zone, but just couldn't find the back of the net.
The Foresters outshot the Blugolds 43-21, while UW-Eau Claire finished 0-for-2 on the power-play.
Turner finished with 40 saves, but took the loss. It was the second straight loss for the Blugolds.
Next weekend the Blugolds will travel to Stevens Point to take on the Pointers Friday night and will return home for another contest with the Pointers. Friday's game is set for 7 p.m. while Saturday's will start at 3 p.m.
-JM-
