Stevens Point Wis-WSAU
The No. 7 UW-Stevens Point men’s hockey team (19-5-4) captured its fourth WIAC Tournament (presented by Culver’s) Championship with a 5-1 win over No. 14 UW-Eau Claire (18-9-1) in front of a sold-out crowd at K.B. Willett Arena on Saturday night. The win gives UWSP the WIAC’s automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
It took the Pointers just 1:15 into the game to take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Harrison Stewart (Rockford, Ill./) ripped a shot from the point for the early lead. It was Stewart’s second goal of the season with Andrew Poulias (Whitby, Ont./) assisting on the play.
Just over three minutes later, UWSP doubles its lead. Mick Heneghan (Niles, Ill./) found Cody Moline (North Branch, Minn./) on the rush. Moline passed to Isaac Moberg (St. Paul, Minn./) in front of net and he made it 2-0. It was also Moberg’s second goal of the year, the eventual game-winner at 4:19 of the first.
Exactly five minutes into the second period, the Blugolds scored to make it a one-goal game.
Dawson Sciarrino (Greensburg, Pa./) put the lead back to two at 8:29 of the second period. Heneghan again started the play, this time from the point. He hit Fletcher Anderson (Thunder Bay, Ont./Sir William Churchill), who set up Sciarrino for the 3-1 lead.
Poulias and Sciarrino each got their second point of the night as they grabbed helpers on Brett Humberstone’s (Kingston, Ont./) goal 1:00 into the third period.
Late in the third, Jordan Fader (Rice Lake, Wis./) scored a power-play goal to complete the scoring. His goal at 18:19 of the third was assisted on by Humberstone and Sciarrino.
UWSP goaltender Ryan Wagner (Indianapolis, Ind./) was fantastic in net making 24 saves, 15 in the third period. UWEC goaltender Max Gutjahr made just 18 saves.
The Pointers will await Monday’s selection show to see who, when and where UWSP’s NCAA Tournament begins. The NCAA Selection Show is at 9:00 a.m. on Monday (March 6) and can be seen at NCAA.com.
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