MENOMONIE - The UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team fell just short of its second conference victory of the season, dropping a 5-4 nail biter to UW-Stout here tonight at the Dunn County Ice Arena.

The Blugolds fall to 8-12-4 on the season and just 1-9-3 in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association play while the Blue Devils improve to 9-11-4 overall and 2-8-3 in the NCHA.

Eau Claire scored the first two goals of the game to take a 2-0 lead. The goals came from Andy Klapperick (Jr.-Austin, MN) and Ben Manny (Sr.-Chippewa Falls/Chi-Hi). Klapperick's goal game 6:05 into the game while Manny's came just more than four minutes later.

The Blue Devils then took control of the game, scoring the next five goals of the game, the first three coming in the first period and the final two coming in the first 7:18 of the third period. The Blugolds battled back in the third period, scoring two goals in the final 11:48 of the game. Brooks Lockwood (So.-Hudson) scored the first of the two to bring the score to 5-3 and Manny scored his second of the night to bring the Blugolds within a goal. Eau Claire was unable to tie the game in the final minute and a half and left Menomonie with a 5-4 loss.

The Blugolds actually held the shot advantage on the night by a total of 36-31 but it was not enough to overcome two Stout power play goals.

The Blugolds will look to get back in the win column tomorrow night when they battle River Falls at 7:05 p.m. in River Falls.

Eau Claire-Stout Box Score

- DN -