DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's hockey would host their final non-conference opponent of the 2022-23 season as they took on the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Saturday night at Mars Lakeview Arena. 

How it Happened
The Blugolds would strike early into the first to take the 1-0 lead with 17:36 on the board. Minutes later Filimon Ledenkov (Polotsk, Belarus/Ostroshitsko-Gorodokskaya (New York Aviators-USPHL)) raced with the puck to the other end and passed over to his right to find teammate Carsen Richels (Ham Lake, Minn./Blaine HS(University of New Hampshire)) for a Saints score at 6:17.

Both teams were tied 1-1. Until, the Eau Claire offense got rolling, as they scored three unanswered goals in the first period. Right after Eau Claire's last goal, Oliver Quinn (Loudon, N.H./Merrimack Valley HS (Team Maryland-EHL)) would relieve Jack Branby (St. Paul, Minn./Highland Park HS (Winnipeg Blues-MJHL)) behind the net. The Saints would head into the locker room down 4-1.

It would be tough for this team to bounce back as UWEC would add another goal to their totals with four minutes into the second period. At 9:18, Tristan Shewchuk (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada/St. Joseph HS(Springfield Jr. Blues NAHL) would take a shot, saved by Eau Claire's goaltender, and then bounced right into Jacob Seitz (Mountain Iron, Minn./Virginia HS (Minnesota Magicians-NAHL)) stick and he would score. Assists were made by Shewchuk and Nathan Adrian (Roseau, Minn./Roseau HS (Minnesota Wilderness-NAHL)). Both teams would add a goal to their scores, still, the Blugolds were up 5-2.

As the third period rolled on, neither team had struck gold until Richels would take a shot that was saved but once again went into a Saint's stick. At 9:47 Arkhip Ledenkov (Polotsk, Belarus/Ostroshitsko-Gorodokskaya (New York Aviators-USPHL)) would secure his third goal of the weekend and brought the Saints back to life as they were now only down by two. Richels and Filimon were credited for the assists.

A penalty would give the Blugolds a power-play opportunity, and thirty seconds later the Saints would be called for another penalty. At the 13:38 mark, CSS would be short-handed as they faced the 5 on 3. Quinn would save the four shots attempted by Eau Claire to keep their hopes of a comeback alive. 

The Saints would get their opportunities, but never finished with the puck in the net, with a couple minutes remaining CSS pulled their goaltender to try for a quick score. After a shot by CSS, Eau Claire got control of the puck and scored on the empty net. The Blugolds (10-6-0, WIAC 3-3) earn their 10th win on the season. 

Goaltending
Leading the Saints in saves was Quinn with 21, Branby saved seven on the night. Blugold Max Gutjahr stopped 33 of the 36 shots.

Up Next 
The Saints (8-5-2, 5-0-1 MIAC) will head over to Northfield, Minn. to face a conference foe, St. Olaf., (11-5-1, 5-3-0 MIAC). Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.