GENEVA, Ill. – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team returned to the NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey Tournament for the first time since 2013 on Saturday. The Blugolds opened NCAA Postseason play with a road trip to Aurora University. UW-Eau Claire's season came to an end at the hands of the Spartans as they fell 3-2 in the opening round of play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Special teams' play became a factor in the first period as Aurora (24-4-1) tallied a power play goal in the final five minutes of the period. It was the lone man advantage opportunity for the Spartans. UWEC also had just one power play opportunity but were unable to convert.
- After a scoreless second period, both teams found the back of the net early in the third. Leo Bacallao (Jr. – Madison, Wis./Vel Phillips Memorial) answered a second Aurora goal with a strike from the slot to cut the deficit to 2-1.
- As time wound down, the Spartans netted an empty net goal to regain a two goal lead. The Blugolds never quit as Jadon Reimer (So. – Lansing, Mich./Grand Ledge) potted his first collegiate goal with 17 seconds left in the game.
- Despite a late faceoff and an offensive zone draw with seconds left on the clock, the Blugolds couldn't find the back of the net and fell to the Spartans, 3-2.
- Max Gutjahr (Jr. - Appleton, Wis./Kimberly) held the high flying Spartans to just two goals on 36 shots. Aurora came into the game ranked second in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 4.79 goals per game.
- Aurora University held a 37-26 advantage in shots. Eau Claire held the advantage in the faceoff circle winning 38 of the 62 draws. Max Dronen (Fr. – Moorhead, Minn.) led the way winning 11 of the 12 face offs he took.
UP NEXT
The Blugolds finish their season with a 14-16-1 overall record and a 8-7 record in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) play. In addition to the NCAA appearance, the Blugolds won their fifth WIAC title in program history.
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