Men's Hockey | 2/28/2015 8:51:00 PM

Box Score 1

The UW-River Falls men's hockey team advanced to the WIAC championship game after a penalty shot goal from sophomore forward Taylor Burden in the WIAC semifinals "mini-game," which ended 2-1 in favor of UWRF.

UWRF was defeated by Eau Claire in game two of the WIAC semifinals by a score of 4-2, which preceded the mini-game.

After game two, because UWRF won game one of the semifinals, the two teams played the 20-minute mini-game to determine which team would advance to the WIAC championship game. The last time UWRF played in a mini-game was in 2011 at UW-Stout, and the Falcons won that mini-game 2-0.

The Blugolds took an early 1-0 lead in the mini-game as senior Ross Andersen scored at 1:47. UWRF answered, however, with a goal from freshman forward AJ Jarosz at 5:01. The mini-game ended in a 1-1 tie, and the two teams went into a sudden death overtime to settle the matter. UWRF outshot Eau Claire 11-9 in the first 20 minutes.

Midway through the mini-game overtime, Burden earned a penalty shot attempt after a Blugolds player covered the puck in the crease. Burden went top shelf, glove side, on Blugolds sophomore goaltender Jay Deo (9-4-1). Watch video of Burden's penalty shot goal. (Thanks to Wendy Stocker for the video.)

The Blugolds opened the scoring in game two of the WIAC semifinals just 3:25 into the first period with a goal from freshman forward T.J. Stuntz. Stuntz' second goal of the season was assisted by senior defenseman Jack Callahan and freshman forward Colton Wolter. Stuntz' goal slipped past Falcons junior goaltender Tanner Milliron (19-7-1).

The Blugolds extended the lead to 2-0 with a power play goal at 9:24 of the first period from sophomore forward Brandon Wahlin. Wahlin's 11th goal of the season was assisted by junior defenseman Jeff Pauluk and freshman forward Jake Davidson.

Burden cut the deficit in half with his fourth goal of the season at 13:33 of the first period. Burden was assisted by senior captain Blake Huppert, who earned his 12th assist of the season.

The Falcons tied the contest at two with a goal from Huppert at 10:39 of the second period. Huppert's sixth goal of the season was assisted by freshman defenseman Terry Leabo and sophomore forward Mitch Kontny. Leabo's assist was his team-leading 14th of the season, while Kontny upped his assist total to nine.

Stuntz scored his second goal of the contest at 5:22 of the third period to put Eau Claire ahead 3-2. Stuntz' third goal of the season was unassisted.

Blugolds sophomore forward Jason Eddy put the last nail in the coffin at 10:48 of the third period to push the lead back to two goals. Eddy's fourth goal of the season was assisted by junior defenseman Derek Knetter and freshman forward Mac Jensen.

Eau Claire outshot UWRF 48-33. Milliron made 44 saves in the loss, while Deo made 31 saves in the win. Four Falcons finished the game with four shots on goal. UWRF went 0-4 on the power play, while Eau Claire finished 1-3.

UWRF drops to 19-7-1 overall, and 9-4 on the road. Eau Claire improves to 18-7-2 overall, and 10-4-1 at home. The Blugolds finish the season with a 4-1 record against UWRF.

The Falcons battle the UW-Stevens Point Pointers on Saturday, March 7, for the WIAC championship. Game time is 7 p.m.

Minigame Box Score
Box Score