EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team earned its first win after enduring four consecutive losses or ties, defeating the College of St. Scholastica (Minn.) 3-0 tonight at Hobbs Ice Center.

The Blugolds earned two of their three scores on power plays, but were even more successful on the penalty kill as the team denied the Saints scores on all five of their chances. While halting the Saints, a tripping penalty gave the Blugolds the power play and Bryce Wilcox (So.-Rochester, Minn./Century) put Eau Claire on the board for the first time of the night at the 16:25 mark. 

Less than a minute into the second period, a tripping penalty again gave Eau Claire a power play chance. Travis Peckskamp (So.-Sauk Rapids, Minn.) – assisted by Jordan Singer (So.-Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) and Tyler Romasco (Jr.-Perry, Ohio) – found the back of the Saints' net just 1:34 in to put the Blugolds up by two scores. 

Eric OHearn (So.-Traverse City, Mich./Central) notched his third goal of the season under six minutes later to give the Blugolds their third score of the night. Though Eau Claire didn't put up any more scores, they continued the shutout of the Saints and claimed the 3-0 victory.

Brandon Stephenson (So.-Saline, Mich.) defended the Blugold net the entire 60 minutes and stopped all 26 of St. Scholastica's shots. The Saints' shot total just edged past the Blugolds, who totaled 25 for the game.

The conference win boosts the Blugolds to 13-10-1 overall and 7-9-1 in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association. St. Scholastica falls to 4-14 in the conference.

Tomorrow night, the Blugolds will play their final game of the regular season against UW-Superior. Game time is set for 7 p.m. in Superior.