EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — UW-Eau Claire defeated Bethel (MN) 3-2 on Friday at Hobbs Ice Arena. The Blugolds scored once in the second period and twice in the third period, while the Royals scored both of its goals in the final period. UWEC finished with a 25-24 edge in shots, blocked 20 shots to Bethel's 12 and made 22 saves.
After
Ryan Knight stopped Gavin Hruza at 18:14, the Blugolds put shots on Zane Spaniol from
Joel Hanson and
Brent Gulenchyn, but the Royals generated much of the next stretch of pressure. Knight handled attempts from Johnny Conlin, Luke Lindsey, Joe Kelly, Jared Greiner, Haden Kruse, Max Hamstad and Nate Mcisaac, while the Blugolds also got blocks from
Bronson Sabol,
Trey Gnetz and
Max Dronen during the first period. UWEC countered with saved chances from
Henry Bartle,
Matthew Volkman, Dronen, Gnetz and
Danny Reis before
Nolan Grier was called for slashing at :03, and Knight stopped Conlin at :00 to close a scoreless first period.
After Bethel had the first two chances of the second period before its power play ended at 18:03, UW-Eau Claire generated a stretch of pressure that included two power-play opportunities. At 9:24, with the second advantage over,
Dayne Hoyord scored at even strength off assists from Dronen and Volkman to give the Blugolds a 1-0 lead. UWEC continued to create chances, including
Logan Ganz hitting the pipe during another power play at 6:00, while Bethel had a late look off the pipe from Johnny Conlin at :58 before the period ended with the Blugolds ahead 1-0.
The Blugolds added to their lead early in the third period, as Ganz scored unassisted at 17:04 and
Connor Thompson scored off a Hanson assist at 16:43 to make it 3-0. The Royals pushed through the middle of the period around two power-play chances, but UW-Eau Claire killed both interference penalties with Knight making saves and skaters blocking several attempts. Bethel went to the empty net late and cut into the margin on extra-attacker goals by Max Hamstad at 1:21 and Johnny Conlin at :28. The Blugolds held on from there to finish the 3-2 win.
Thompson scored the game-winning goal and won 12 faceoffs at 63%. Ganz added a goal on three shots and blocked one shot. Hoyord scored on two shots and finished with a +2 rating. Knight made 22 saves while allowing two goals.
The Blugolds move to 3-1-1 overall while Bethel falls to 2-3-0 overall.
UWEC will return to the ice on Saturday, Nov. 14, traveling to St. Paul, Minn., to face Hamline University at TRIA Rink. Puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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