EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team hosted UW-Superior in Game 2 of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) O'Brien Cup semifinals on Friday. After a victory in Game 1, the Blugolds would continue their offensive firepower with an 8-2 win to sweep the series.
Eau Claire would come out of the gate hot scoring just eight minutes in to the first period. Emma Peterson (Sr. - Superior, WI) would convert on a counterattack for the game's first tally. Samantha Scherling (So. - Rogers, MN) and Addie Young (Jr. - Superior, WI) would receive assists on the goal.
The Yellowjackets would answer a minute later after a shot from Jenna Byfuglien (UWS) took a bad bounce in front, and found the back of the net. Less than a minute after the tying goal, the Blugolds would take back control as Dehli Heikes (So. - Hermantown, MN) would put home a rebound and make it 2-1. Taylar Meier (Fr. - River Falls, WI/Columbine) would add a goal of her own before the end of the period for a two-goal lead.
In the second, Eau Claire showed no sign of slowing down as Scherling scored 15 seconds in the middle frame to increase the lead to three. Peterson and Ella Ierino would get credit for the helpers on the goal. Later in the period, Scherling would add another goal after Eden Gruber (Fr. - Wausau, WI/West) scored her first as a Blugold to put the lead out of reach.
Kylah Krause (So. - Belleville, IL/East) stopped 12 of 14 shots she faced in the 8-2 win. Krause improves her record to 3-1-0 on the season.
The Blugolds advance to the O'Brien Cup finals next week and play in a best of 3 series against UW-River Falls. They will host Game 1 on Monday. Puck drop has yet to be confirmed.
Follow all the action all season long at Blugold Gameday.
