MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. - The UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team tied St. Thomas 5-5 despite being outshot 51-17 here tonight.

The Blugolds jumped out to the early lead with Pete Eloranta (Sr.-River Falls) scoring two goals in the opening two minutes of the game. St. Thomas came back to score four unanswered power play goals to take a 4-2 lead early in the second period.

Eau Claire came back to score three unanswered goals of their own to go up 5-4 going into the final period. Ben Manny Sr.-Chippewa Falls/Chi-Hi), Kyle Garner (So.-Sun Prairie) and Matt Schultz (Jr.-Menomonie) all scored goals during the run.

The Tommies scored their fifth power play goal of the game with 5:10 left in regulation to tie the game at five. The five power play goals equal the most power play goals ever given up by Eau Claire in a single game.

The Blugolds split goalie time with Steffan Braunlich (Jr.-Playa del Rey, CA/Loyola) stopping 32 of 33 shots and Chris Nelson (Jr.-Madison/Memorial) stopping 14 of 18 shots.

Eau Claire committed 16 penalties for 32 minutes while the Tommies committed only seven penalties for 14 minutes.

Eau Claire will be in action next when they travel to Duluth, Minn. to play St. Scholastica Friday, Jan. 14. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Eau Claire - St. Thomas Box Score

- JL -