EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team could not hold onto an early lead in its last NCHA regular season matchup against the College of St. Scholastica.  The Blugolds outshot the Saints 38-23, but it was not enough as they fell 3-5.

The Blugolds came out aggressive and took an early lead in the first period.  Jordan Singer (Jr.-Lino Lake, Minn./Centennial) got the first goal of the night at 3:53 to put the Blugolds on the board 1-0.  He would come back five minutes later and score his second goal of the night and increase the Blugolds lead to 2-0.  The Saints would come back at 18:02 with a power play goal after Andrew McCabe (Jr.-Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial) was called for checking from behind. 

Singer got his first hat trick of the season in the second period when he tucked one in behind the goalie at 16:58.  His goal put the Blugolds up 3-1 with three minutes remaining in the second period.  The Saints got one more in before the buzzer sounded and shortened the Blugolds lead to one.

The Saints took control of the third period and tied up the game 3-3 24 seconds into the period.  They scored another goal at 7:16 to take their first lead of the night.  The Saints got their last goal of the night at 18:55 when the Blugolds pulled their goalie leaving an empty net. 

Andrew Martin (Fr.-Stoughton, Wis./Stoughton) took the loss for the Blugolds tonight.  He collected 47:16 minutes of play.  He had 18 saves on the night.  Brandon Stephenson (Jr.-Saline, Mich./Saline) relieved Martin of his duties in the third period.  He did not see much action in his 12 minutes of play as he did not have any saves.

The Blugolds will travel to River Falls next Friday and Saturday night to take on the Falcons in the first round of the NCHA Tournament.  Action will get underway at 7:05 pm at the Hunt Ice Arena.

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