The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator

The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator

The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator

    Hockey loses last game to end season

    The Blugold men’s hockey team played the last two games of its season Friday and Saturday night at UW-Superior.

    The Blugolds lost 2-0 Friday and 4-2 Saturday. With these losses, the Blugolds were knocked out of the NCHA tournament.

    The Yellowjackets are ranked No. 2 in the nation in the U.S. College Hockey poll, but the Blugolds had confidence going into the contest.

    Junior Erik Strand said that the team’s practices before the big games were good enough to bring it a victory.

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    “We had high expectations for this weekend,” Strand said. “We really had a great week of practice.”

    Friday night the Blugolds could not put any points on the board, taking only 15 shots on goal compared with Superior’s 46.

    The Yellowjackets went scoreless in the first period, once in the second period and once in the third to win the first contest of the tournament.

    Sophomore Scott Sutton had 44 saves for the Blugolds. He blocked 11 in the first period, 20 in the second and 13 in the third period.

    “Sutton played unbelievable for us this weekend,” Strand said.

    On the season, Sutton played more than 1000 minutes in the goal, and made 88.5 percent of his saves.

    “Goaltender Scott Sutton played exceptionally well,” senior Adam Sklader said.

    Saturday Eau Claire had a better performance.

    Superior scored the first two goals, but Eau Claire answered with two goals, both by freshman Mike Lucenti. He scored his first goal at just under six minutes in the second period, bringing the game to a 1-1 tie.

    Superior took the lead again 9:38 into the second period as the result of a power play.

    His second goal, which came in response to one by Superior, tied the game in the second period with 1:50 remaining. He was assisted by freshmen Chris Hunter and Matt Gehr.

    Lucenti scored both of his goals on power plays. Eau Claire had eight power plays throughout the game, while Superior only had five.

    Superior broke the tie nine minutes into the third period. They scored again with less than two minutes left in the game.

    The game ended with the Blugolds trailing Superior 4-2.

    Sutton again had an impressive performance with 35 saves on Saturday.

    The Blugolds increased their shot totals from Friday, attempting 25 to Superior’s 38.

    Strand was pleased with his team’s performance in its last games.

    “Line for line, everybody put their all into it,” Strand said. “Our defense played great.”

    The Blugolds ended their season with a 9-18 record.

    On the season, the Blugolds were led by sophomore Ian Sgambelluri, junior Jamie Minor, and Lucenti.

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    Hockey loses last game to end season