Photo by Sebastian Evans.
Coming off a two-game win streak, the Lawrence hockey team suffered a disheartening 4-0 loss at the hands of the Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds. The team simply could not defend against a strong first-period attack, wherein the Blugolds were able to score three times within the first four minutes. The first goal was scored just over four minutes in by Jake Bresser. Andrew McGlynn followed up with a shot three minutes after. The onslaught was rounded out by an extremely quick goal by Tyler Tomblerlin just a minute later. Freshman goalie Brian Tallieu was subbed out after the third goal, and senior Evan Cline was able to save 31 of the 32 shots taken on him, but the offensive damage had already been done, as the Vikings could not penetrate the Blugold’s defense at any point during the match. Goalie Zach Dyment pitched a shutout for the Blugolds, saving all 19 of Lawrence’s attempts.
The wheels for the Vikings just all seemed to fall off this game. The offense was unable to get much going, as Eau Claire’s shots on the goal doubled that of Lawrence’s, at 40-19. At the same time, defensive components collapsed far too early on for Lawrence to stage a comeback. This is not the first time an early hole has been dug for Lawrence defensively; their first match at Gustavus Adolphus had them pinned 2-0 to start and at 4-1 midway through the second, and both matches vs. Aurora featured zero goals and fast defensive collapses. The match became a game of keep-away that the Vikings just could not seem to win. Despite a recent rally, offensive woes clearly still play a part in the problems the team must work out. Lawrence’s record remains negative at 5-9-1, while #3 Eau Claire rises to 11-2-1.