By Nick Hoven, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team hosted the Marian University Sabres on Saturday night. The Blugolds, coming off a dominant win on Friday, would skate to a 3-3 tie on Saturday.
In the first period, both teams would come out fast and physical, but it would be Nathan Dingmann (So. – Plymouth, MN/Wayzata) getting the first tally. As Dingmann found space in the middle he would turn, fire the puck through traffic, and find the game's first goal with just over six minutes remaining in the period. The Eau Claire lead would be enjoyed for only a short time as Marian would answer just nine seconds later to tie things at 1.
The message in the locker room must have been something special for the Blugolds as it only took 12 seconds for the lead to go back in favor of the home side. Lucas Kohls (Sr. - Forest Lake, MN) would knock home a back-door pass from Dingmann to get the go-ahead goal.
Later in that period, the Blugolds would create chaos in front of the Marian goaltender to extend their lead. Kyle Froese (Sr. – Traverse City, MI/Central) would blast the puck through the goalie's five-hole to record his fifth goal of the year. Kohls and Austin Redders (So. – McFarland, WI) would get credit with the assists which would be Kohl's fourth multipoint game of the season.
Just a minute later Marian would answer, but the Blugolds would head to the final frame ahead with a one goal lead.
Special teams have been an area of concern for the Blugolds as they couldn't convert on their two powerplay opportunities in the game. Historically Eau Claire has been a force to be reckoned with, but they will head into the winter break sitting around 15 percent.
In the final period, the Blugolds had many opportunities, but they would surrender a wrap-around goal to the Sabres half way through the period. That game tying goal would be the last time the lamp would be lit as neither side capitalized in the final ten or the overtime period.
Zach Dyment (So. – Abbotsford, WI/Yale Secondary) ended the game stopping 26 of the 29 shots he faced. Dyment's record will stand at 11-1-2 with Eau Claire's overall at 11-2-2.
The Blugolds will take the rest of the month off as the semester comes to a close. They will be back in action beginning the new year on January 4th and 5th as they head to Minnesota for a weekend non-conference trek against Gustavus Adolphus College and Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.) Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app on your mobile device.
