SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s hockey team hosted No. 8 UW-Eau Claire on Friday night and fell by a score of 3-0. With the loss the Gusties fall to 3-2 while the Blugolds move to 3-0-1.
The Gusties got off to a fast start, dominating possession early in the first period. They got a power play but couldn’t convert midway through the period, though they still controlled the tempo. The Blugolds got a huge break 13:08 into the period when they had one man on the forecheck and he was able to poke the puck away from the Gusties to the left of the Gustavus net, and it bounced behind Robbie Goor (Jr., Anoka) and in for the goal. The rest of the first period played scoreless as UW-Eau Claire took momentum late and ended up outshooting the Gusties 13-10.
The second period started quickly for the Blugolds, as they sent a pass from behind their goal line to the far blue line and a UW-Eau Claire player was able to go one on two and sneak through and backhand one past Goor for the 2-0 lead just 1:14 into the second period. The Gusties would fight back and apply pressure with a few chances, but couldn’t muster a goal as the two teams each put 11 shots in net in the second frame with just the one finding the back of the net.
In the third period the Blugolds struck at the 4:24 mark of to take a 3-0 lead and they controlled the tempo for much of the final frame. The Gusties had a few chances late but couldn’t find the back of the net as Eau Claire took the victory.
Goor made 27 saves in net in the contest while allowing the three goals.
The Gusties will be back at it tomorrow when they host UW-River Falls at 7:05 p.m. for their fourth annual Teddy Bear Toss game.