MENOMONIE (November 23, 2019) - In the first of three meetings in the season, the Blugolds scored two goals in the third period to down Stout with a score of 4-1.
In the first period, as predicted, UW-Stout (1-6-1, 1-1-0 WIAC) and UW-Eau Claire (6-0-1, 2-0-0) came out with a lot of energy. The WIAC rivalry was underway. At 3:01 of the first period, the Blugolds went on a power play, but Stout played tough defense and killed off the penalty.
The Blue Devils had a couple chances to score in the first eight minutes, including hitting the crossbar on a shot from the slot. At 8:22 of the period, Stout had a chance to score being up one man. Eau Claire sent a guy to the box, but the Blue Devils couldn't find the back of the net.
After a turnover in the Blue Devil's own zone, Eau Claire's Derek Hammer scored from a shot from the slot to take the lead. Steen Cooper had the assist on the goal.
A back and forth period saw the Blugolds going into the first intermission up 1-0, but with 40 seconds left in the period,
Kobe Keller beat Eau Claire's Dyment to tie the game up.
Evan Butcher had the assist on the tying goal.
Shots were 10-5 in favor the Eau Claire, but the score was 1-1 going into the first intermission.
The second period didn't see much action for the first 16 minutes of the period with no goals and no power plays. But at 16:03 of the second period, the Blugold's Jake Bresser scored his fifth goal of the season to take the lead 2-1.
After the second period, the Blugold's were outshooting Stout 23-11.
Going into the third period, the Blue Devils were trying to fight back to even the score up, but with 14:46 left in the game, Jon Richards and the Blugolds took a 3-1 lead.
With 9:20 left in the game, Eau Claire's Jon Richards scored his second goal of the night and the Blue Devils were down three goals. No goals were accounted for the rest of the game and the Blugolds remained unbeaten in WIAC play.
In net, the Blue Devil's
Evan Bisek stopped 30 of the Blugold's shots. Zach Dyment came out with the win for Eau Claire and stopped 19 shots.
Stout will continue WIAC play as they face-off at UW-Stevens Point on Friday, December 6. They will be back home on December 7 against UW-Superior.
