EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey hosted UW-River Falls for another WIAC tilt on Friday night with the Blugolds winning 2-1 in overtime thanks to more late-game heroics by Ty Readman (Sr. – Edmonton, Alberta/Vimy Ridge Academy).
In a fast and physical game, the two squads battled it out for the first two periods without a goal. Both teams would have scoring opportunities but Blugold netminder Ryan Ouellette (Fr. – Colorado Springs, CO/Liberty) and River Falls' Dysen Skinner were on point.
In the third, Eau Claire would finally break through as Simon Sagissor (Sr. – Stillwater, MN) got the Blugolds on the board at 12:25. Ryan Green (So. – Muskego, WI) and Kyle Oleksiuk (Fr. – Winnipeg, Manitoba) would be credited with assists on Sagissor's fifth goal of the season.
The Falcons would pull Skinner with a minute remaining in regulation and with the extra skater, they were able to sneak one past to tie the game with just 34 seconds left.
In overtime, Readman would tally his fifth game-winner of the season, scoring at the 2:31 mark with assists to Quinn Green (So. – West Chicago, IL/St. Charles East) and Jon Richards (Sr. – Callaway, MN/Detroit Lakes). Readman also had the game-winning goal in an overtime win over UW-Stout on January 29 and scored on the last shootout opportunity in Tuesday's tie with Lawrence. The senior transfer has earned a point in each of the last seven games he's played.
The Blugolds edged the Falcons in shots for the night, racking up 22 to River Falls' 17. Ouellette recorded 16 saves and moves to 11-6-1 on the season.
Eau Claire (12-11-1, 8-6-0 WIAC) and River Falls (13-10-1, 9-5-0 WIAC) will be back on the ice on Saturday for Senior and Alumni Day. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. at Hobbs Ice Arena.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on the app, UWEC Blugolds.
