ST. PAUL, Minn. (Blugolds.com) - The UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team came up short against 15th-ranked Hamline University (Minn.) tonight 4-1 at the Drake Arena.

The first period was a defensive battle between the two teams, with neither team scoring. However, Hamline changed that with three unanswered goals in the second period at 2:48, 4:07, and 7:57.

The third period yielded one more Hamline goal at 12:49 to give the Blugolds' opponent a 4-0 lead. The Blugolds would not accept a shutout though as Michael McCurtain (So.-Eagle River, Alaska/Chugiak) scored an even-strength goal for Eau Claire with three seconds left in the game with assists coming from Nate Smith (Sr.-Clayton, Wis.) and Tyler Romasco (So.-Perry, Ohio).

Eau Claire's offense out shot Hamline's on the night, 32-25, but Hamline's goalkeeper Beau Christian was too much and racked up 31 saves on the night. The Blugolds also had the same amount of power-play opportunities as Hamline, seven, but were unable to capitalize on the chances while Hamline scored twice.

Tyler Brigl (Sr.-Eagan, Minn./Eastview) defended the Blugold net for the entire night, allowing four goals and recording 21 saves.

The Blugolds (2-5-2) will take more than a week off from the ice, but will be back at home Friday, Dec., 4 to take on I-94 rival UW-Stout at Hobbs Ice Center. The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m.