UW-Eau Claire men’s hockey had their first exhibition game for the season at 7 p.m.on Oct. 14, where they played against the University of Dubuque.

Exhibition games do not count towards their record, but instead gives the team a challenge and lets them identify areas they need to work on. 

This will be Matt Loen’s 17th season coaching the team.

He said it is different having an exhibition game so early in the season as they have only had five practices. He said that they plan to watch the game tape after to see the areas where they can improve. 

Seeing as the team has not practiced much, Loen said that they could improve in many aspects.

“We are just trying to get our new guys acclimated to our culture and what we do at practice, how we practice. Hopefully now it will translate into games,” Loen said.

The men’s hockey team has their home opener coming up at 7 p.m. on Oct. 28 vs. Augsburg University.

The team has added six new players to their team: five first-years and one transfer from UW-Stout.

Willy Stauber is a fourth-year entrepreneurship student and plays defense on the team.

“There is some team building stuff that we do at the rink and outside the rink to get everyone on the same page and just go from there,” Stauber said.

Looking forward to the season, the team has 27 games scheduled, 15 of which are conference games.

During the season, which runs October through February, Hobbs Ice Arena will host 13 games for the Blugolds.

Colin Stein is a third-year information systems student who plays defense for the team.

“We all grew up playing at an early age and we want to play as long as we can so it is cool to come out here with other guys who are on the same page, working hard together and trying to be the best that we can be,” Stein said.

He said the games he is looking forward to the most are against Augsburg University and St. Norbert College because they are always good competition. He is also excited to play their rival UW-Stevens Point.

Last year the team ended with a total of 18 wins, nine losses and one tie.

Both Stauber and Loen agree that the team goal is to win WIAC this year, and they think that is possible this year.

While the men’s team has already had an exhibition game, the women’s team is also starting up soon with their own exhibition game against Bethel University happening at 2 p.m. on Oct. 21 in Blaine, Minnesota.

The women’s hockey team has a similar schedule, with 24 games and the Panther/Cardinal classic.

Their home opener is at 7 p.m. on Oct. 27 against St. Benedict’s College.

In total last year, the women’s hockey team won 22 games, lost four and tied twice.

For more information about the hockey schedules check out their webpages on Blugold Athletics.

Geske can be reached at [email protected].