WINONA, Minn. - After trailing two periods to the Cardinals of St. Mary's, the UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team was able to finish strong in the 6-4 victory here tonight.

The Blugolds were first to strike in the contest, with DJ Clark (So.-Blaine, Minn.) scoring his first goal of the season on a power play with 11:46 left in the first period. St. Mary's would then answer quickly, scoring 14 seconds later. The Cardinals increased their lead to 3-1 by the end of the first period with goals at 9:55 and 12:18.

In the second period, the Blugolds were able to chip away at the lead, with a Bryan Plaszcz (So.-Apple Valley, Minn.) goal 5:05 and another score by Tony Janssen (So.-Superior, Wis.) at 15:17, both on power plays. St. Mary's would again answer to regain control of the lead going into the third period.

The Blugolds would not allow another goal the rest of the way and would score three more to seal the victory. Janssen scored his second goal of the game and season 10:54 into the third, followed by a Dan Fina (Jr.-Fontana, Wis./Glenbard South, Ill.) power play goal later in the period. After the Blugolds gained control of the lead, the Cardinals would clear the net to gain an extra player advantage. The Blugolds could not be stopped though, as Sean Garrity (Sr.-North St. Paul, Minn./North) scored his third goal of the season with just under a minute remaining in the contest.

Although the Blugolds got off to a slow start with only eight shots, they were able to out shoot the Cardinals more than 3-to-1 in the end. The Blugolds only allowed 15 shots in the entire game with seven in the first, three in the second and five in the third, while they took eight in the first, 22 in the second and 16 in the third for a total of 46 shots.

Tyler Brigl (So.-Eagan, Minn.) was in the goal the entire game for the Blugolds and tallied 11 saves.

The Blugolds are now 3-1-0 on the season, while St. Mary's falls to 0-2-1.

Up next the Blugolds will travel to St. Paul, Minn. to take on the St. Thomas Tommies. The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m.

Eau Claire-St. Mary's Box Score

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