RIVER FALLS, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team was on the road Friday evening for game one of a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) series against UW-River Falls. An early goal by the UWRF Falcons stood as the lone goal of the contest as Eau Claire fell 1-0 away from home.
Despite being outshot 12-4 in the opening period, the Blugolds battled all night and finished the game with 25 shots on goal. Quinn Green (Jr. – West Chicago, Ill./St. Charles East) led the Blugold offense with four shots on target. UWEC found their chances on the power play with a 5-on-3 in the middle frame but the UWRF defense didn't break as UWEC was unsuccessful on all three man advantages throughout the contest.
With the one goal deficit looming in the final two periods, the Blugolds increased their pace as they outshot the Falcons 21-14 in the final 40 minutes. Coalson Wolford (Fr. – San Jose, Calif.), Ty Readman (Sr. – Edmonton, Alberta/Vimy Ridge Academy), and Nick Techel (Sr. – Wausau, Wis./Wausau West) all finished the night above .500 in the face off circle as UWEC won 33 of the 66 draws.
A last minute push with the goaltender pulled for the Blugolds resulted in multiple looks in front of the net but time would expire before UWEC found their equalizer.
Max Gutjahr (Fr. – Appleton, Wis./Kimberly) stopped 26 of the 27 shots he faced in his sixth loss of the season. Gutjahr is now 13-7-1 on the year.
The Blugolds (14-7-1, WIAC 7-4-1) will be back in River Falls on Saturday, February 4th for game two of the weekend series against UWRF. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
