JANESVILLE, Wis. – Despite a difficult result on the scoreboard, the Beloit College men's hockey team showed flashes of offensive resilience in an 8-3 loss to the visiting UW-Stout Blue Devils on this evening at the Woodman's Center.
Facing a strong UW-Stout squad that improved to 4-1-0 (1-0-0 WIAC) on the season, the Buccaneers (1-3-1, 0-1-0 WIAC) leaned on a highly effective power play and a stellar relief performance in net to battle through sixty minutes of play.
The bright spot of the evening for the Buccaneers was their execution on the man advantage. While the Blue Devils dominated even-strength possession, the Buccaneers punished the Blue Devils for their indiscipline, converting on 50% of their power play opportunities (2-for-4). Conversely, the Beloit penalty kill unit held firm, shutting down all four of UW-Stout's power play chances.
The game began with UW-Stout surging to a quick 3-0 lead behind three even-strength goals in the first 19 minutes. However, the Bucs seized momentum in the dying seconds of the opening frame.
Capitalizing on a high-sticking penalty by Stout's Jake McAlpine, Beloit defenseman Joe Weber (Rochester, NY) found the back of the net with just four seconds remaining in the period (19:56). Assisted by Ben Stewart (Dayton, OH), Weber's first goal of the season cut the deficit to 3-1 and sent the Buccaneers into the locker room with renewed energy.
The second period proved to be the deciding stretch, as UW-Stout erupted for four goals, including back-to-back shorthanded tallies that extended their lead. Despite the deficit, Beloit refused to fold. At the 10:20 mark, Valerii Kneib (Dmitrov, Russia) netted the team's second power play goal of the night, assisted by playmaker Cooper Anderson (Marquette, MI), making the score 7-2.
The Buccaneers continued to fight in the third period, playing Stout to a 1-1 draw over the final 20 minutes. Nik Johnson (Minneapolis, MN) capped the scoring for Beloit at 6:47 of the third, notching an even-strength goal off Anderson's second assist of the night.
A significant stabilizing force for Beloit was the performance of goaltender Jude Ayling (London, England). After starter Anthony Zolezzi (Oswego, IL) was pulled near the midway point of the game, Ayling stepped between the pipes and provided a calm presence.
Ayling played 30:01 minutes of relief, facing a barrage of shots as Stout continued to press. He turned aside 21 of the 23 shots he faced, keeping the Buccaneers competitive down the stretch and anchoring a defense that tightened up significantly in the third period
The Buccaneers hit the road for thier next WIAC challenge, heading to River Falls, Wisconsin to meet the Falcons at Hunt Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:05 pm on Saturday.
