EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team came out strong in its home opener defeating Bethel University 5-0 Friday night at Hobbs Ice Center.
The first period started out slow with only nine shots total being made on goal by both teams. The Blugolds led the way outshooting the Royals 8-1.
The second period was a different story with the Blugolds coming out and putting three goals on the board. The first goal was put into the back of the net by Jordan Singer (Lino Lake, Minn./Centennial) on a penalty shot 3:44 in. The penalty came when Bethel's Tyler Swanson was called for hooking as the Blugold forward was making his shot on goal. Isaiah Bennis (Jr.-Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial) got the second goal of the night on a pass from Devin Mantha (Jr.-Sturgeon Falls, Ont./Ann Arbor Pioneer). Two minutes later, Kurt Weston (Jr.-Roseau, Minn./Roseau) got his first goal of the season after David Donnellan (So.-Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial) got him the puck.
The Blugolds put the nail in the coffin in the third period scoring two more goals. Eric Mclintock (So.-Traverse City, Mich./Central) got the first goal at 8:08. Travis Peckskamp (Jr.-Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids) then came up with the final goal of the night.
Brandon Stephenson (Jr.-Saline, Mich./Saline) got the shutout win for the Blugolds. He had 15 saves on the night and is now 1-1 on the season.
The Blugolds outshot the Royals 39-15 and improved on the season to 2-1. They come back Saturday to play Hamline University. The game will start at 7 p.m. at the Hobbs Ice Center.
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