Eau Claire, WI (uwrfsports.com)- The UW-River Falls men's hockey team traveled to Eau Claire to take on the Blugolds in game one of a WIAC playoff series Friday night.
Christian George scored for the Falcons to cut the Blugold lead in half late in the third period, but Falcons fell to Eau Claire 3-1.
THE RUNDOWN
Final Score: UW-River Falls 1, UW-Eau Claire 3.
Location: Eau Claire, WI
Record: UWRF 12-12-2. UW-Eau Claire 17-6-3
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Blugolds jumped out to an early lead at the 3:04 mark of the first period when Alex Strand found the back of the net to put Eau Claire up 1-0.
- Both teams would generate multiple scoring chances throughout the period but the first period would end with the Blugolds up 1-0.
- Neither team would be called for a penalty during the period and the Blugolds out shot the Falcons 10-8 in the period.
- The Falcons would come out in the second period and sustain some pressure in the offensive end including a shot by senior Mike Fazio that would hit the pipe but the Falcons could not tie the game at 1.
- The Blugolds Bryan Sinz would be called for tripping at the 7:24 mark of the period. The Falcons were unable to take advantage of the power play and the Blugolds still lead 1-0.
- Falcon goalie Zach Quinn would stop all 7 shots he faced in the second period to keep the Falcons down just 1 heading into the third period.
- The Blugolds came out in the third period and pushed their lead to 2 at the 3:23 mark of the period when Colton Wolter scored.
- Jeff Bergh would be called for roughing at the 11:22 mark of the period putting the Blugolds on the power play. During the power play Colton Wolter would be called for Goaltender interference negating the 45 seconds of the Blugold power play and giving the Falcons just over a minute of power play time once the penalty to Bergh had expired.
- At the 13:58 mark of the third period Christian George would strike on the abbreviated power play to cut the Blugold lead in half at 2-1. The goal was George's 6th of the season.
- The Falcons would get a power play late in the third period, but the Blugolds would strike with an empty net short handed goal to put the game out of reach at 3-1.
- The Falcons out shot the Blugolds 26-25.
- Zach Quinn made 22 saves on 24 shots.
THE OPPOSITION
- Jay Deo stopped 24 of 25 shots he faced to get the win for the Blugolds.
- Colton Wolter, Alex Strand, and Jake Hopfner scored for UW-Eau Claire.
UP NEXT
- Game 2 of the WIAC playoff series agains UW-Eau Claire on Saturday night in Eau Claire with puck drop set for 7:30pm.
