The Eau Claire Area Stars visited their crosstown rival Chippewa Falls/Menomonie Sabers on Thursday night in a tight defensive battle. The two top teams in the Big Rivers conference looked to one up the another to take sole possession of first place. It was the Sabers who took a late lead in the third period to claim victory 2 to 1 in a girls hockey classic.
The first period began with a dominant start for the Chippewa Falls/Menomonie squad, generating immediate offensive zone pressure, chances, and puck possession. Especially thanks to their two star forwards Avery Lindstrom and Allison Xu.
However, nearly five minutes into the period, Eau Claire forward Addison Gruhlke let go a wrister through a screen from the right point, fooling the Saber goalie and scoring post and in making it 1-0.
Although pressure and overall control of the game seemed to favor the CFM Sabers, the Stats stayed composed and held onto their lead for nearly the rest of the period.
That was until about the 2:30 minute mark when a beautiful give and go 2 on 1 play developed for the Sabers, when Avery Lindstrom shook her defender, and found her linemate for the one timer just below the hash marks in the slot, making it a tie game.
The second period was full of swings and exchanges on both sides of the ice. The two teams each had multiple powerplays and were stellar on the penalty kill.
However, when even strength, it was the Sabers who held control of the game, not allowing Eau Claire to get anything going in the offensive zone. Stellar shifts from CFM top line was not enough to break the ice in the second despite several high danger level scoring chances.
The Eau Claire Area Stars did a nice job boxing out and cleaning up in front of their own net, as well as clearing the zone when they had the opportunity. The unofficial shot chart (my count) for the CFM big guns, Avery Lindstrom and Allison Xu, were about 4 shots on goal a piece that period.
The Stars woke up in the third, generating numerous scoring chances, especially from their captain Allison Gruhlke, nevertheless the Stars definitely wish more of their chances would’ve hit the net to count for a shot on goal.
Over two-thirds of the way deep into the third, it was Sabers forward Addisyn Buesgen able to force a giveaway, walk in and snipe it top shelf post and in for the go ahead goal.
Chippewa Falls/Menomonie did not lay back after the goal, dominating the rest of the game and being able to keep the puck in the Stars zone, the Eau Claire goaltender played phenomenal in crunch time.
However, it wasn’t enough, resulting in a final score of 2-1 in favor of the sabers, who get 2 crucial points in the BRC standings. The Sabers will look to continue their momentum into next Monday, where they will host the Western Wisconsin Stars, who currently sit 2 points and 1 game back from first in the BRC. Whereas the Stars will look to bounce back next Tuesday on the road against another BRC heavyweight, the St. Croix Valley Fusion.