STEVENS POINT - The UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team opened its season with a 3-1 loss in a non-conference game to UW-Stevens Point here tonight at K.B. Willett Arena.

Both teams came into the season-opener unranked in the United States College Hockey Online poll, though the Pointers did receive votes. The Blugolds fall to 0-1-0 with the loss while the Pointers move to 1-0-0 on the season. Stevens Point has now won seven of the last eight contests against the Blugolds.

Eau Claire was the first on the board, scoring less than three minutes into the game when Brooks Lockwood (So.-Hudson) scored an unassisted goal to give the Blugolds a 1-0 lead. The goal came on an Eau Claire power play. The advantage would not last long, as Anthony Forgione tied the game less than two minutes later. Neither team would tally a goal the rest of the first period, sending the game into the second period gridlocked in a 1-1 tie.

The game remained tied until 6:30 into the second period, when James Jenberg took advantage of a five-on-three situation and scored a game-winning, power play goal. Forgione assisted on the goal. The Blugold defense held the Pointers scoreless the rest of the period and went into the final period trailing by just one goal. Stevens Point held firm in the third period, allowing just three shots on goal by the Blugolds. Brett Coburn added a goal with eight minutes left to play to clinch the victory for the Pointers.

Eau Claire was out-shot 28-20 during the game while both teams were one-for-six on power play attempts. Bryn Davies earned the win in net for the Pointers, stopping 19 of the 20 shots he faced. Chris Nelson (Jr.-Madison/Memorial) took the loss, making 25 saves in a losing effort.

The Blugolds will look to get in the win column tomorrow evening, when they travel to River Falls to battle the Falcons at 7:05 p.m. The game will also be a non-conference match up.

Stevens Point 3, Eau Claire 1

Scoring

1P: EC-Brooks Lockwood (unassisted), 2:56pp; SP-Anthony Forgione (Chris Gehrke), 5:36.

2P: SP-James Jenberg (Forgione), 6:30pp.

3P: SP-Brett Coburn (David Lee Nick Molski), 11:56.

Shots: EC 20, SP 28 Saves: EC (Chris Nelson) 25, SP (Bryn Davies) 19 Power Plays: EC 1 for 6, SP 1 for 6 Penalties: EC 7 for 14, SP 7 for 14 Records: EC 0-1-0 (0-0-0), SP 1-0-0 (0-0-0)

Eau Claire-Stevens Point Box Score

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