UW-Superior 2, UW-Eau Claire 1

SUPERIOR, Wis. (January 19, 2018) – The Yellowjackets faced UW-Eau Claire for the second time at home this season, and this game was nothing short of a rivalry game. Superior was able to get the tight win over the Blugolds, as the game came down to the final minute.

Mikayla Goodin (Andover, Minn./Andover) got the party started for the Yellowjackets, scoring in the first 30 seconds. The puck snuck out in from the of the Blugold defense on a pass from Emily Heid (Elk River, Minn./Elk River), Goodin was able to get to the puck and burry it above the stick-side of the goalie.

The Yellowjacket penalty kill unit would be in muddy water later in the period, surrendering a goal after two 'Jackets found the box with around 10 minutes remaining in the period. The Blugolds would tie. The penalty kill then had to kill another 5-on-3 penalty. The 'Jackets would succeed, holding a 1-1 tie midway through the period.

The rough-and-tumble period would continue in the first as Heid found the box after a tripping call that was made in the middle of the home crease. Superior would hold on and get a power-play chance of their own at 15:37 after Kelly Cockerill (Selkirk, Man./Oak Park) took a rough call from the Blugolds, but the 'Jackets were unable to capitalize on the short-handed Eau Claire. Another power-play opportunity would find a 'Jacket goal at the end of the period, as Kaleigh Martinson (Dayton, Minn./Champlin Park) scored on a pass from Saige Patrick (Steinbach, Man./St. Mary's Academy) at 19:44 of the first. Holding a 2-1 after one.

An early 6-on-3 penalty kill situation ensued for the Yellowjackets around 15:05 mark of the second period, this would continue for almost five minutes as the 'Jackets were able to kill. At this point the Blugolds piled on 26 shots to Superior's seven. The penalties continued on both sides throughout the period, but the penalty kill units were in full force as neither team could find the twine.

Superior started the third on the power play after a penalty was called on Eau Claire for cross-checking at the end of the second.  The teams would exchange shots and more penalties throughout the third, but it was a cleaner game on both sides. The game came down to the final minute, the Blugolds had pulled their goalie and the Yellowjackets were on the penalty kill. The puck was frozen by Sky Brown (Lenore, Man./Virden Collegiate Institute) and the faceoff would go the right dot. One last attempt from Eau Claire with 1.6 remaining was foiled by a five-hole save by Brown, Superior had won their third WIAC game of the season.

Brown was spectacular between the pipes, saving 41 shots on goal in 60 total minutes. There were 20 total penalties called in this one, 13 on the Yellowjackets. Superior lost the shot battle 42-19, but was great in the faceoff circle, winning 45-27.

Superior will look to carry their momentum into Eau Claire tomorrow as they play a back-to-back with the Blugolds, traveling on the road tomorrow for a 7 p.m. showdown.