RIVER FALLS, Wis. - The UW-River Falls men's hockey team opened its conference schedule Tuesday evening at Hunt Arena, falling 5-2 against UW-Stout.
The visiting Blue Devils scored on their first shot of the game and didn't step of the gas, taking just 10 minutes to earn a three-goal lead. They also added power play and shorthanded goals to take a 5-0 lead into the first intermission, led by a hat trick from Peyton Hart.
After Stout's fourth goal, UWRF starting goaltender
Dysen Skinner was relieved by
Dean Buchholz, who made his first appearance of the season in net. Buchholz allowed one goal before making 16 saves and holding the Blue Devils scoreless in the final 40 minutes.
Despite the Falcons' rough first period, they bounced back with a strong effort in the final two periods, outscoring UW-Stout 2-0 with
Jonny Meiers and
Max Collette each scoring their second goals of the season. The Blue Devils outshot the Falcons 15-7 in the first period before the Falcons held a 22-10 lead in the second and third combined.
Meiers scored late in the second frame before Collette scored late in regulation on the power play. Collette also assisted on Meiers' goal for a two-point night.
UWRF, now 2-1 overall and 0-1 during WIAC play, remains at home this weekend for a pair of nonconference matchups against St. Olaf College and Hamline University.
