RIVER FALLS, Wis. – The UW-River Falls men's hockey opened its weekend series versus WIAC foes UW-Eau Claire with a 1-0 shutout Friday night at Hunt Arena.
The win snaps a four-game losing skid for the Falcons (8-13-1, 2-9-1 WIAC) while the Blugolds, who received votes in the latest USCHO Division III poll dip to 14-7-1, 7-4-1 WIAC.
Falcon goaltender
Dysen Skinner made 25 saves to earn his fourth shutout of the season, and
Valentino Passarelli scored the game-winner in the first period to seal the win.
UWRF came out strong, outshooting UWEC 13-4 in the first period. Passarelli buried a loose puck in the slot for his first goal of the season just over six minutes in for the eventual game-winner, assisted by linemates
Owen Belisle and
Arsenii Smekhnov.
Leading 1-0 in the second period, the Falcons were in penalty trouble, but turned away a trio of Blugold power plays, including a two-minute 5-on-3. UWEC outshot the Falcons 21-14 in the final 40 minutes, but Skinner and the Falcon defense held strong for victory.
The two teams play again tomorrow night at Hunt Arena.
