STEVENS POINT, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - Though the UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team lost by just one goal the last time they faced the Pointers, it was a very different story tonight as UW-Stevens Point defeated the Blugolds 6-1.

Neither team could connect on a multitude of early shots, but when the Blugolds earned a power-play 15:50 into the first, it was the Pointers that capitalized. Short-handed, Stevens Point notched back-to-back goals just over a minute apart to snatch the 2-0 lead.

A roughing penalty on Stevens Point gifted the Blugolds another power-play chance near the eight minute mark of the second period, and this time the Blugolds used it to their advantage. Eau Claire immediately fired at the goal. The Pointers evaded two shots – one by Jordan Singer (So.-Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) ricocheted off the pipe – but Tyler Jundt (Jr.-Williston, N.D.) nailed the third attempt. Assisted by Singer and Isaiah Bennis (So.-Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial), Jundt's goal at 9:01 brought the Blugolds back within one goal of the lead.

Despite the Blugolds' defensive attempts, the Pointers grabbed control for the rest of the game. Stevens Point notched another pair of goals in both the second and third periods, handing the Blugolds the 6-1 loss.

Both the Blugolds and the Pointers took an even number of shots – 27 apiece – but Stevens Point managed to find the back of the net more often. In the defeat, Scott Pederson (Jr.-Lake Villa, Ill./Grayslake) tended the Blugold goal in all three periods, saving 21 of the Pointers' shots. 

The loss drops Eau Claire under .500 in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association, as the Blugolds now hold a 12-8 overall, 6-7 NCHA record. Stevens Point improves to 6-8 in conference play.

Tomorrow night, the Blugolds will host St. Norbert College (Wis.). Eau Claire lost in both of the teams' previous two meetings. The third matchup will get underway at 7 p.m. at Hobbs Ice Center.