St. Norbert Battles Past UW-Eau Claire

From Asst. AD/Athletics Communications, November 17, 2017 | Men's Hockey
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

EAU CLAIRE - Meeting for the first time since the 2014-15 season, St. Norbert College fought its way to a 3-1 win over UW-Eau Claire in a non-conference game featuring a pair of former Northern Collegiate Hockey Association rivals at Hobbs Ice Center.

The Green Knights (5-0), ranked No. 1 in the USCHO.com and D3hockey.com Division III polls, felled the No. 14-ranked Blugolds (4-3) despite being outshot 38-17.

Following a scoreless first period, St. Norbert had extended power-play time early in the second period after a pair of Eau Claire penalties but didn't score. The Green Knights did break through first when Tanner Froese scored on a wraparound for a 4-on-4 goal at the 8:08 mark. St. Norbert extended its lead to 2-0 when Steven Phillips connected at 15:53.

The Green Knights got even more breathing room with a goal at 8:47 of the third period on a marker by Luke Davison. Eau Claire answered 28 seconds later on a goal by Jake Hopfner, but the Blugolds would get no closer despite a power play plus 1:03 of extra-attacker time to end the game.

T.J. Black stood tall in net for the Green Knights, turning away 37 Eau Claire shots. Camden Haugenoe made 14 saves for the Blugolds.

Both teams were 0-for-3 on the power play.