EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team returned to Hobbs Arena on Friday night, hosting the Concordia-Moorhead Cobbers for a weekend series. The Blugolds came out strong to take game one by a score of 3-2.
Eau Claire jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first, taking advantage of two powerplays. Quinn Green (So. – West Chicago, IL/St. Charles East) recorded his sixth goal of the season thanks to assists from Jarrad Vroman (Sr. – Lincoln Park, MI/St. Francis Cabrini) and Jon Richards (Sr. – Callaway, MN/Detroit Lakes) at 7:32.
The Blugolds would add another powerplay goal with just 28 seconds left in the first period as Jordan Randall (Fr. – Maple Grove, MN) notched his first goal in an Eau Claire sweater. Tyler Love (Jr. - Pittsburgh, PA/Moon Area) and Austin Becker (Fr. – Amery, WI) were credited with assists on the goal.
In the second, Connor Szmul (So. – Castle Rock, CO/Castle View) found the back of the net midway through the period off assists by Ty Readman (Sr. – Edmonton, Alberta/Vimy Ridge Academy) and Vroman to take a 3-0 lead into the final frame.
The Cobbers refused to go quietly, rallying in the third period for two goals. But the Eau Claire defense would stand strong the rest of the way to preserve the 3-2 win.
Netminder Ryan Ouellette (Fr. – Colorado Springs, CO/Liberty) recorded 21 saves in the win to improve to 4-4-0 on the season while the Blugolds out-shot the Cobbers 34-23 and were 2-for-5 (.400) on the powerplay.
The Blugolds (5-9-0) and Cobbers (6-6-2) will be back at Hobbs on Saturday with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
