EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team rallied from a two-goal deficit to earn a 3-3 tie against UW-Superior on Saturday at Hobbs Ice Arena. The Blugolds won the ensuing shootout 2-1 to earn an extra point in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings.
The Blugolds had to respond after falling behind 3-1 in the second period. Leo Bacallao (Fr. - Madison, Wis./Memorial) scored late in the second before Ryan Green (Jr. - Muskego, Wis.) netted the tying goal with less than five minutes remaining in regulation. Kyle Oleksiuk (So. - Winnipeg, Manitoba) and Ty Readman (Sr. - Edmonton, Alberta/Vimy Ridge Academy) both scored in the shootout to give UW-Eau Claire the edge.
The Yellowjackets took their first lead midway through the first period, but the Blugolds answered immediately. Just 14 seconds after UW-Superior scored the opener, Cade Lemmer (Fr. - Tomahawk, Wis./Wausau West) broke free and deked past the goalie for the Blugolds' first goal. Bacallao and Nick Techel (Sr. - Wausau, Wis./Wausau West) assisted.
UW-Superior regained the lead with a goal 23 seconds into the second period, and made it 3-1 with another at the 12:46 mark. The Blugolds drew one back on Bacallao's goal off a power play with 2:11 remaining in the period. He took a pass from out wide and rifled it in from the middle. The assists came from Readman and Oleksiuk.
Green tied the game and forced overtime when he struck with 4:24 remaining in regulation. The puck was dumped into the offensive zone, and Green scored on a one-timer off a centering pass. Readman and Oleksiuk got another set of assists on the goal.
Neither team found the back of the net in overtime. Blugolds goalie Max Gutjahr (Fr. - Appleton, Wis./Kimberly) made one save in the extra period to send the game to a shootout.
Both teams missed on their first shootout attempt and both scored on the second, with Oleksiuk converting for the Blugolds. Gutjahr thwarted the Yellowjackets' third attempt, and Readman converted his to seal the shootout in UW-Eau Claire's favor. Oleksiuk and Readman both put their shots between the goalie's legs.
Gutjahr finished with 11 saves for the Blugolds. UW-Eau Claire outshot the Yellowjackets 37-14.
The Blugolds are back at Hobbs on Wednesday, Jan. 25, when they host WIAC leader UW-Stevens Point. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
