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University of Wisconsin-Superior Athletics

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Wisconsin-Superior
Yellowjackets
Jordan Neduzak
Jade Jensen

Men's Hockey

Eau Claire Overwhelms Yellowjackets

Jordan Neduzak
Box Score

Eau Claire 9, Yellowjackets 2

Friday night was the regular season finale for the Yellowjacket men's hockey team, a team looking to put a positive finish on an inconsistent campaign. After earning an important point against UW-River Falls at home Tuesday, the Yellowjackets were hungry for more, looking to add more points to their season total and secure home ice for the first round of the playoffs.

On the other side UW-Eau Claire also had a lot to play for, as they needed points to keep pace with the leaders in the WIAC.

And when it was all said and done, it was all Blugolds Friday night.

For the second time in three outings the Yellowjackets struggled defensively. Eau Claire scored blew the game open in the second and added insult to injury in the third on their way to a 9-2 win over the Yellowjackets at the Hobbs Ice Center.

There was some good news for the Yellowjackets, however, as UW-Stevens Point defeated UW-Stout Friday night, meaning the Yellowjackets will be at home against the Blue Devils in the first round of the WIAC playoffs next weekend.

Things got off to a good start, as the Yellowjackets drew first blood early in the game. Jordan Neduzak (Morden, Manitoba/Morden Collegiate Institute) carried the puck into the Eau Claire zone and slid a shot between the pads of Eau Claire goaltender Tyler Green to make it a 1-0 game just 2:26 into the game.

Eau Claire came back and tied it at 5:27 when Adam Knochenmus scored through traffic in front of the net. Then Garrett Clemment scored a brilliant power play goal for the Blugolds, snapping a shot over the right shoulder of Yellowjacket goaltender Bryce Fink (Tacoma, Wash./Keystone) with 6:18 to play in the first period to give Eau Claire a 2-1 lead.

It stayed 2-1 past the mid point of the second period, and that's when the wheels fell off for the Yellowjackets. Knochenmus scored his second of the game at 12:26 to increase the lead. Then, with the Yellowjackets on the power play, the puck bounced off the linesman and right onto the stick of Colton Wolter. Wolter went in alone and was stopped by Fink, but he got his own rebound and scored shorthanded to make it 4-1.

The goal spelled the end of the night for Fink, who was replaced by Ethan Wood (Jasper, Alberta/Paul Kane), but the sophomore didn't fare much better.

Jake Hopfner greeted Wood with a power play goal, deflecting a shot from the blue line between the pads to push the lead to 5-1.

Before the end of the period the Yellowjackets stopped the bleeding. With 1:28 to play in the frame Anton Svensson (Sodertalje, Sweden/Igelstavikens Gymnasium) went from the left corner behind the net and wrapped the puck around the post and under Green to cut the lead to 5-2.

Eau Claire added four goals in the third period to cruise to the win. Knochenmus completed the hat trick just 1:37 into the period, and David Henry scored on a rebound at 5:08. At 11:05 Jesse Tredinnick snapped a shot over the right shoulder of Wood to make it 8-2. Then with 1:52 to play Jake Wolter scored to make the final score 9-2.

Fink was tagged with the loss, giving up four goals on 16 shots in 35:09 of action. Wood, who surrendered all nine goals against UW-Stevens Point last week had a tough outing in relief, allowing five goals on 13 shots. On the other side Green made 27 stops before being relieved with 5:45 to play. Brian Anderson came in and made two saves.

Few penalties were called in the game. Each team took four penalties for eight minutes. The Yellowjackets were scoreless in two power play chances and Eau Claire was a perfect two-for-two.

The Yellowjackets (8-14-3, 2-5-1 WIAC) will kick off playoff action Friday, February 19 when they host UW-Stout at Wessman Arena. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. and can be heard live on 91.3 FM beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m. If you are outside the local listening area you can tune in online through the iFan Sports Network. Jon Garver will have the call.
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Players Mentioned

Bryce Fink

#1 Bryce Fink

G
5' 8"
Sophomore
Jordan Neduzak

#9 Jordan Neduzak

F
5' 11"
Junior
Anton Svensson

#11 Anton Svensson

F
5' 8"
Junior
Ethan Wood

#35 Ethan Wood

G
6' 1"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Bryce Fink

#1 Bryce Fink

5' 8"
Sophomore
G
Jordan Neduzak

#9 Jordan Neduzak

5' 11"
Junior
F
Anton Svensson

#11 Anton Svensson

5' 8"
Junior
F
Ethan Wood

#35 Ethan Wood

6' 1"
Freshman
G