EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire women's hockey team allowed five first period goals falling to the 7th-ranked UW-River Falls Falcons 5-0 here today in their final home regular season game at Hobbs Ice Center.
Box Score | Coach Collins Video
The Blugolds fall to 5-18-1 overall and 1-9-1 in the WIAC while the Falcons, who already clinched their second-consecutive WIAC regular season championship, improve to 20-3-1 and 9-1-1 in conference play.
The Falcons came out firing as they outshot the Blugolds 26-6. The Blugolds held off the Falcons' offensive attack until River Falls eventually put the puck in the back of the net at 3:34 than proceeded to score four more goals before the first intermission. Four of the five goals were scored at even strength against a Blugold squad that suited up 13 position players and three goalies to start the game.
In the second period the Blugolds cut the Falcon shot attempts in half from 26 in the first period to 13. The Blugolds forced three power play opportunities in the period but were unable to convert.
The third period is penalty-packed on both sides. Ten total penalties were called including five consecutive unsportsmanlike conduct infractions.
Katie Burkey (So.-Ramsey, MN/Anoka) led the Blugolds with three shots on goal.
Goalie Paige Turner (Jr.-Iron River, WI/Duluth East) held the Falcons scoreless over the final two periods. Turner saved 49 shots between the pipes playing all 60 minutes. It was the eighth time this season that Turner has saved 40 or more shots in a game.
The Blugolds were outshot 54-13. The Falcons scored one power play chance out of six chances while the Blugolds were held scoreless in four opportunities. Eau Claire was whistled for nine minor infractions totaling 18 penalty minutes while River Falls was called for seven penalties serving 14 minutes.
The Blugolds will play their regular season finale next Saturday, February 21 when they travel to face UW-River Falls at Hunt Arena. Face-off is set for 7:05 p.m.
-KCM-
