UW-Eau Claire 3, UW-Superior 1

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (February 23, 2018) – Superior was able to find the first goal of the game, but three unanswered from the Blugolds would finalize the first game of two in the opening round of the WIAC Playoffs.

The Yellowjackets would skate to a tie in the opening periods, but not without some good effort around the Blugold crease. Superior would put up seven shots towards the net and win eight faceoffs. They also put their bodies in front of the Blugolds, block nine total shots. Saige Patrick (Steinbach, Man./St. Mary's Academy) saw the only penalty of the period at 17:09 for checking, but the 'Jacket penalty kill came through.

The Yellowjackets took a while to find their grove in the second period. It took a power-play opportunity after a Blugold interference call to set Superior up for success. At 13:39, the puck dropped left of the Blugold crease, a faceoff win from Emily Heid (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) sent the puck to Megan Dulong (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids) just in front of the blue line for a slap shot opportunity. She didn't waste time, slipping the biscuit past the Eau Claire goaltender.

The one-goal lead only lasted 50 seconds as Eau Claire scored on a quick power-play chance at 14:35, tying 1-1. The game would stay knotted through the final five minutes.

The Blugolds came on the attack in the third, scoring their second of the game at 2:55, and then found their third at the 7:18 mark of the period.

These would be the final goals of the game for both teams, even when the 'Jackets had six skaters on the ice at 19:05 when Sky Brown (Lenore, Man./Virden Collegiate Institute) was pulled from goal. Brown would finish the night with a total of 35 saves.

In total, the Yellowjackets produced 20 shots on goal, to the Blugolds 38, but Superior edged Eau Claire in the faceoff battle, winning 33-of-62.

The 'Jackets will look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon as they play the second game of the two-game series in Hobbs Arena again at 3 p.m.