NORTHFIELD, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – One day after defeating St. Olaf College (Minn.) 5-2, the UW-Eau Claire women's hockey team recorded a 5-1 victory over the Oles at Northfield Arena today.
In similar fashion to last night, the Blugolds got on the board first with a goal in the opening period. Mariah Czech (Fr.-Andover, Minn.) got the first goal for Eau Claire at 11:06.
Midway through the second period, St. Olaf tied the game up with a power-play but the game was tied for less than two minutes after Sam Knutson (Jr.-North St. Paul, Minn.) found the back of the net to put Eau Claire back up by one.
It was all Blugolds in the final period as the team picked up three goals. Katie Burkey (Fr.-Ramsey, Minn.) scored at 5:51 on a power-play to give the Blugolds a two-goal lead. At 16:03, Nikki Kothenbeutel (Sr.-Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids-Rice) increased Eau Claire's lead with another goal and Taylor Bowker (So.-Cambridge, Minn./) scored on an empty net with 1:20 left to play.
Five different Blugolds recorded assists in the win.
In goal, Kim Van Brunt (So.-Eagle River, Wis./Northland Pines) played the entire way and stopped 36 out of 37 shots. The Oles led the shot chart 37-29 but the Blugolds held a 12-7 advantage in the third period.
Eau Claire is now 3-9-2 on the season while St. Olaf drops to 2-10.
Next weekend the Blugolds will take on Saint Mary's University (Minn.) twice. They will be at Saint Mary's on Friday at 3 p.m. and will host the Cardinals at 2 p.m. Saturday.
-KM-