STEVENS POINT, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team captured their fourth WIAC Tournament Championship (presented by Culver's) on Saturday night after defeating UW-Stevens Point by a score of 6-2 at K.B. Willett Arena.
After a scoreless first period, both teams would pick up their offense in the second. The Pointers would take an early lead, scoring five minutes into the period, but Eau Claire's Sammy Martel (So. – Bolingbrook, IL/Neuqua Valley) would take advantage of a powerplay, putting one home at 14:42 with assists from Andrew McGlynn (Sr. – St. Louis, MO/Christian Brothers College) and Colin Stein (Fr. – Pewaukee, WI/Catholic Memorial).
A minute later, Jordan Randall (Fr. – Maple Grove, MN) would give the Blugolds a lead they would never relinquish. Connor Koviak (Sr. – Canton, MI/Plymouth) and Austin Becker (Fr. – Amery, WI) would be credited with assists.
In the third, Eau Claire would score early and often, with Quinn Green (So. – West Chicago, IL/St. Charles East) scoring just a minute into the frame off Martel and Ryan Green (So. – Muskego, WI) assists.
At 6:15, Martel would tally his second goal of the game off an assist from R. Green, giving Eau Claire a 4-2 lead.
Simon Sagissor (Sr. – Stillwater, MN) recorded the fifth Blugold goal of the night, lighting the lap at 12:45 with an assist from Peter Jacobs (Fr. – Carlsbad, CA/Lewis Palmer).
The Pointers pulled their goalie with several minutes left in the third, and with the extra skater would score at 16:21. But Willy Stauber (So. – Duluth, MN/Marshall) would get an empty net goal less than a minute later off a Becker assist to put the game away and secure the Commissioner's Cup for Eau Claire.
Ryan Ouellette (Fr. – Colorado Springs, CO/Liberty) had another strong night in goal for the Blugolds, tallying 37 saves in his 17th win of the season.
Eau Claire wraps up their season with a 18-11-1 record and a seven-game winning streak.
