[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 4842-4843]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EAU CLAIRE MEN'S HOCKEY TEAM NCAA DIVISION III 
                           NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2013

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the University of 
Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's hockey team, the Blugolds, on winning the 
NCAA Division III National Championship. Their 5-3 victory over Oswego 
State on March 16, 2013 was an exceptional display of teamwork.
   In winning the team's first National Championship, the Blugolds 
capped off their best season in program history. Their 14-3-1 record in 
conference play not only placed them at the top of the standings for 
the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association Conference, but it also 
earned them their first conference championship. The Blugolds also 
finished the season with an overall record of 24-5-2, the best in 
school history. Their success during the season earned them a spot in 
the NCAA Championship Tournament for the second time in program 
history.
   The success of the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds did not go unnoticed. 
Senior forward and captain, Jordan Singer, was named to the All-NCHA 
team. Head coach Matt Loen received the Edward Jeremiah Award, honoring 
him as the NCAA Division III coach of the year. Additionally, at the 
conclusion of the NCAA Division III Tournament, Kurt Weston, Jordan 
Singer, Drew Darwitz, and Brandon Stephenson were named to the all-
tournament team, with Singer named as the Most Outstanding Player of 
the tournament.
   The Blugolds rode the momentum of their season's success by winning 
their first three games of the tournament, earning an opportunity to 
compete in the National Championship game. Nonetheless, heading into 
the championship off an incredible season, the team found themselves 
down by two goals in the first period. The Blugolds banded together and 
rose to the challenge with four unanswered goals.

[[Page 4843]]

   They tied the game by the end of the first period, with one goal 
from Jordan Singer during a power-play, and another goal from Andrew 
Wilcox with less than a minute remaining in the first period. Then, 
with six minutes remaining in the second period, Daniel Olszewski gave 
UW-Eau Claire their first lead of the game. Devin Mantha's goal in the 
final period increased UW-Eau Claire's lead, and although Oswego scored 
a goal with ten minutes left in the game, Kurt Weston's final goal 
clinched the title for the Blugolds. Brandon Stephenson, the goalie of 
the Blugolds, finished the game with 27 saves. When the final buzzer 
rang through Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, New York, the Blugolds 
won their first National Championship by defeating Oswego State 5-3.
   This momentous win at the end of a very successful season 
exemplifies the dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship of each and 
every member of the UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team. Furthermore, this 
victory is a source of great pride for the entire Eau Claire community. 
Once again, I want to congratulate the University of Wisconsin-Eau 
Claire men's hockey team on their incredible season and hard-earned 
title as NCAA Division III National Champions.

                          ____________________