Greetings Eau Claire club hockey fans, it has been a while since our last report but at long last we are here to recap a great 2011-2012 season. The team finished out their season with a single game against St. Mary's club team in Winona on February 26th. The game started with St. Mary's coming out the gate and scoring 2 goals early in the first, but about seven minutes into the opening frame the Blugolds took advantage of a 2 on 1 break and senior Nick Adams buried one off a nice feed from freshman Andy Mlynar to start off the scoring for UWEC. Minutes later freshman Ben Boldenow managed to find the back of the net as well after a flurry of chances to tie the game at 2 - 2. However, St. Mary's was not done yet as the went on a 3 goal run to end the first leading the Blugolds 5 - 2. Down but not out, the team regrouped in the locker room and came out with a purpose in the second. After sitting out for the majority of the 2011-2012 season, junior Craig Fisher made his season debut in the last game and he made a big difference. Fisher scored just a minute into the second off a shallow shot to bring the team within two, he scored again later in the period on a power play off a nice feed from another teammate that has been out for most of this season, junior Ben Griswold. With only one goal separating the Blugolds from completing the comeback you could feel the sense of urgency on the bench as the team battled hard for that next, game changing goal. With just minutes to go in the second the Blugolds completed that comeback with a goal from junior and captain Dillon Barmore to tie the game at 5 all. With the second frame in the books, the Blugolds looked to take advantage of their three goal momentum to put the game away in the third, but St. Mary's was up for the challenge and after a hard fought third period the game remained tied after regulation. Freshman goaltender Ryan Laughlin played absolutely outstanding throughout this entire game, and was the main factor that kept the team in the game, and he would come up big again in overtime. St. Mary's came out strong in the overtime period and peppered Laughlin with shot after shot in the opening minutes. Eau Claire wouldn't give in however and came roaring back with surges of their own. After a lot of back and forth play, Griswold had a chance with a one on one halfway through the final frame. After undressing the defender with a nice move between the defenders legs, he faked a forehand shot and went to the backhand to bury the puck up high and clinch the win and the comeback for the Blugolds. It is safe to say this game was one of the more exciting games of the season and a great way to end the season.
The UWEC men's club hockey team finished the season with a record of 10-10-0-1 (.500) with several members putting up some impressive numbers. The team would like to recognize freshman Austin King for an outstanding season. In King's 19 games he scored 42 points (18g, 24a) to set the single scoring record in the team's second year of existence, setting the bar high for those to come. The Blugolds also would like to recognize sophomore (F)Tyler Liddicoat, freshman (D)Jon Roessler, freshman (F/D)Andy Mlynar, sophomore (D)Dan Michaelson, and junior captain (F)Dillon Barmore on all having 20+ point seasons. Recognition should also go to freshman goaltender Ryan Laughlin for have a .85+ save percentage in his first year of ACHA play.
Our team would like to give a warm shout out and thanks to all of our parents and fans for supporting us throughout the entire season! The fans have been great at home and the parents have been awesome at following us on the road, you guys make playing that much more enjoyable for us when we have someone to play for! And finally, a very big thank you to our two lovely student managers Liz Diede and Laura Spiegle!! You two have been instrumental in making this season a success and we greatly appreciate your time and efforts!
For those wanting information please stay tuned and keep checking back on the site. We will be adding details regarding our schedule, practice dates/times, and other events throughout the off-season. Thanks again everyone and we are looking forward to next year!
The UWEC men's club hockey team finished the season with a record of 10-10-0-1 (.500) with several members putting up some impressive numbers. The team would like to recognize freshman Austin King for an outstanding season. In King's 19 games he scored 42 points (18g, 24a) to set the single scoring record in the team's second year of existence, setting the bar high for those to come. The Blugolds also would like to recognize sophomore (F)Tyler Liddicoat, freshman (D)Jon Roessler, freshman (F/D)Andy Mlynar, sophomore (D)Dan Michaelson, and junior captain (F)Dillon Barmore on all having 20+ point seasons. Recognition should also go to freshman goaltender Ryan Laughlin for have a .85+ save percentage in his first year of ACHA play.
Our team would like to give a warm shout out and thanks to all of our parents and fans for supporting us throughout the entire season! The fans have been great at home and the parents have been awesome at following us on the road, you guys make playing that much more enjoyable for us when we have someone to play for! And finally, a very big thank you to our two lovely student managers Liz Diede and Laura Spiegle!! You two have been instrumental in making this season a success and we greatly appreciate your time and efforts!
For those wanting information please stay tuned and keep checking back on the site. We will be adding details regarding our schedule, practice dates/times, and other events throughout the off-season. Thanks again everyone and we are looking forward to next year!