The ninth nationally ranked UW-River Falls men's hockey team finally defeated the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds for the first time in four matchups this season in a 4-3 road victory in the first game of the WIAC semifinals thanks to two third period goals from freshman leading scorer Kyle Gattelaro.

Sophomore forward Mike Fazio opened the scoring at 6:05 of the first period as he one-timed a cross-crease pass from junior forward Mike Williams. Williams came streaking down the right boards with a ton of speed and slung the pass through two defenders before Fazio quickly slapped the puck behind Blugolds sophomore goaltender Jay Deo (8-4-1). The opening tally was Fazio's seventh goal of the season. Williams' assist was his fifth of the season.

Blugolds senior forward Ross Andersen answered only 77 seconds later with his 20th goal of the season. Andersen beat Falcons goaltender Tanner Milliron (19-6-1), and was assisted by junior defenseman Derek Knetter and freshman defenseman RJ Majkozak.

The Blugolds took its first lead of the game as freshman forward Jake Hopfner backhanded a rebound over Milliron's right shoulder, off the crossbar, and into the back of the net. Hopfner's sixth goal of the season was scored at 14:01 of the first period on the game's first power play. Hopfner's second power play goal of the season was assited by sophomore forward Brandon Wahlin, who took the initial shot, and junior forward Ethan Nauman.

The Blugolds took a 2-1 lead into the second period. UWRF outshot Eau Claire 12-7 in the first, but went 0-1 on the power play. Gattelaro led UWRF with three shots on goal in the first.

Nauman, Eau Claire's leading scorer, bumped the Blugold lead to 3-1 at 5:48 of the second period on yet another power play. Nauman's 20th goal of the season was assisted by Wahlin.

Falcons sophomore forward Mike Dietrich redirected a slap shot behind Deo to bring UWRF within one at 3-2 with 44 seconds left in the second period. Senior captain forward Blake Huppert took the initial shot from the left point, shortly after a failed UWRF power play, and the puck landed directly on Dietrich's stick. Dietrich's third goal of the season was also assisted by sophomore forward Taylor Burden, who earned his 12th assist of the season. Huppert's assist was his 11th.

The Blugolds led 3-2 after two. Eau Claire outshot UWRF 13-7 in the second. UWRF went 0-3 on the power play in the second period, while Eau Claire went 1-2. Gattelaro led UWRF with five shots through two periods.

Gattelaro tied the game at three with his team-leading 12th goal of the season at 9:29 of the third period on the power play. Gattelaro's team-leading seventh power play goal of the season was assisted by sophomore forward Ryan Doner (11th assist) and sophomore forward Christian George (seventh assist).

Gattelaro fired home his second goal of the period at 15:22 of the third as he burned past a Blugolds defender and lifted the puck over a sprawling Deo. Gattelaro's 13th goal of the season was unassisted.

Eau Claire outshot UWRF 28-26. Milliron made 25 saves, while Deo stopped 22. UWRF went 1-6 on the power play, while the Blugolds finished 2-3. Gattelaro led both teams with eight shots on goal.

UWRF improves to 19-6-1 overall and 9-3 on the road, while snapping a two-game losing streak. Eau Claire falls to 17-7-2 overall and 9-4-1 at home, while snapping a two-game winning streak.

The Falcons battle the Blugolds once again at 7 p.m. tomorrow evening in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for a chance to play for the WIAC championship. If the Blugolds win tomorrow night, the two teams will play a 20-minute sudden death periods; the first team to score in the "extra game" advances to the WIAC championship.

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