Bu Nick Hoven, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team looked to improve their undefeated record as they traveled to Blaine, MN to take on the Bethel University Royals. The Blugolds entered the game averaging just three goals a game and would reach that total in just the first period alone, on their way to a 7-0 win.
In the first period, the Blugolds built momentum early after killing off a penalty kill and not allowing a single shot. The defensive would keep a strong hold against the Royals as they would only allow one shot the entire rest of the period.
Building off that defensive hold, Eau Claire would mount an offensive that would never be challenged all night. With just a little under half way to go in the rest of the third, the Blugolds would string together three goals all within four minutes of each other. Braden Brown (So. – Plano, TX/South Lyon) would score the third goal of the game to earn his first as a Blugold. Johnny Mueller (Sr. – St. Peters, MO/Francis Howell Central) would earn two assists on the first two goals to cap off his first multipoint night of the season.
In the next period the team effort continued, but there was one player who would rise above all else. Steen Cooper (Jr. - Duncan, BC) would score his first goal in a Blugold sweater and would score his second short-handed later in the period. Kyle Froese (Traverse City, MI/Central) would assist on both goals for his first multipoint game of the year.
In the third, Jack Murphy (So. – Prior Lake, MN) would cap off the scoring fest with his second goal on the night.
Zach Dyment (So. – Abbotsford, BC/Yale Secondary) and David Johnson (Jr. Bloomington, MN/Kennedy) combined for the shutout, with Dyment tallying one save in the first period while Johnson stopped all 11 shots in the final two frames.
The Blugolds (4-0) will stay in the Twin Cities area on Saturday as they face Hamline University at 7 p.m. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app on your mobile device.
