RIVER FALLS - The UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team kicked off the season here today at Hunt Arena, but fell to UW-River Falls 5-1.

The Falcons got on the scoreboard first with a Jared Sailer goal 5:03 into the game. Josh Hansen then scored a shorthanded goal 11:42 in first period to make it 2-0.

The Blugolds then struck first in period two. Chip Dunleavy (Sr.-Littleton, CO/Columbine) scored the first Blugold goal of the season 13:54 into the period, with an assist coming from Andy Klapperick (Sr.-Austin, MN). However, Sailer's second goal 15:12 into the second period made it a two goal game again at 3-1.

It was all River Falls from then on with two third period goals. Wade Harstad and Jim Henkemeyer got shots past goalie Steffan Braunlich (Sr.-Los Angeles, CA/Loyola) in the period, those coming 4:26 and 17:12 in respectively.

The Eau Claire offense outshot River Falls 35-31 on the night. Brainlich had 26 saves to his counterpart's 34. Eau Claire failed to take advantage of nine power plays, with the lone goal coming even-handed. The Falcons were two for five in the category.

The team is 0-1 in the year. River Falls goes up 1-0.

The next event for the team is next Friday at Winona, MN when they take on St. Mary's University. It starts at 7:00 p.m.

Results

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