MENOMONIE (January 29, 2022) - UW-Eau Claire (9-11-0, 5-6-0 WIAC) scored on a breakaway in overtime to capture the series on the season against UW-Stout (7-13-0, 5-6-0 WIAC). Blugold's Ty Readman found the puck in the middle of the ice, skated it down with only the goalie in sight, and found the back of the net to lift Eau Claire with a 2-1 win.
To start the game, both teams came out flying while both seeing shots on net early and often. With 4:45 left in the period, the Blugold's Colin Stein scored to take the lead. The go-ahead goal was assisted by Jordan Randall and Eau Claire led 1-0.
But the Blue Devils didn't back down in the period as Stout's
Peyton Hart scored the tying goal with 1:22 left in the period.
Logan Nelson and
Noe Perez assisted on the goal and the first intermission saw a 1-1 score.
Shots in the first period were in favor of Eau Claire, 8-5.
At 4:33 of the second period, Eau Claire went on the first power play of the game. But Stout killed off the penalty and both team skated full strength. At 6:32 of the period, both teams took a penalty and the game saw four on four hockey. Both teams had chances to score, but no goals were accounted for.
The Blue Devils had two power play opportunies at 10:17 and 14:48 of the period. Stout had chances to score, but couldn't find the back of the net.
The score remained 1-1 going into the third period. Shots after two periods were in favor of the Blue Devils, 16-15.
In the third period, both teams looked to find the go-ahead goal. The Blue Devils had a chance at 9:50 of the period when they went on the power play, but the Blugolds killed off the penalty.
The Blue Devils and Eau Claire were unsuccessful in scoring in the period and headed into overtime. Eau Claire led in shots after regulation, 26-20.
In overtime, both teams skated three on three. Stout controlled the puck for the most part of the overtime period, but one breakaway sealed the game. Eau Claire's Ty Readman skated down the ice on a breakaway and shot it past Cloutier for the game winning goal.
Blugold's Ryan Oulette had 19 saves in the game, earning the win in goal. Blue Devil's
Zack Cloutier stopped 24 shots.
Up next for the Blue Devils is a matchup at UW-Stevens Point on February 4, with puck drop at 7:00 p.m.
