MENOMONIE (January 23, 2019) - UW-Eau Claire (17-3-2, 3-1-1) used two first period goals to upend UW-Stout (13-6-1, 0-2-1) in the conference showdown.
The first five minutes showed both teams looking to score the first goal. It was Eau Claire who got the first goal of the night. The Blugold's Simon Sagissor scored a goal in front of the net and just got it passed Ahlgren.
In the first nine minutes, Eau Claire had four shots and Stout was still shot-less. The first penalty came at 9:11 of the first period, and Eau Claire would go on a power play. Only seven seconds later, the Blugolds received a penalty and both teams skated four on four. With just under three minutes left in the first period, Stout would go on a power play, but Eau Claire killed off the penalty.
After the penalty and with only 40 seconds left to go in the period, the Blugold's Steen Cooper scored a goal to make the game 2-0. The shots were in favor of the Blugolds, 8-5.
To start the second period, Stout went on a power play, but could not get anything going and Eau Claire killed off the minor penalty.
The second period saw a lot of puck control by both teams, but not many shots. The period was also scoreless and the score remained 2-0 going into the second intermission. Shots were still in favor of the Blugolds, 12-7.
As the Blue Devils were trying to fight back, it almost seemed like the next goal would win the game. Eau Claire had two power play chances in the first five minutes of the period. The first penalty was killed, but Eau Claire's Austin Redders scored a power play goal to make the game 3-0.
As Stout was trying to get back within reach, the Blugolds killed two penalties at 12:30 and 8:56 to go in the period. The Blue Devils didn't back down as
Logan Nelson scored a power play goal with 3:24 left to go in the period to make the score 3-1. It is Nelson's tenth goal of the season.
Connor Chambers received an assist on the goal to make the game within reach.
The Blue Devils net was empty with 40 seconds left, but Eau Claire was able to hold off the scoring attack to take the game 3-1.
Zach Dyment recorded 17 saves on the game and Stout's
Tommi Ahlgren had 20 saves. Shots were in favor of the Blugolds, 23-18.
Up next for Stout is another home WIAC matchup as they take on UW-Superior on Friday, January 25 at the Fanetti Community Center at 7:00.
