RIVER FALLS, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - Despite making a late run, the UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team fell 6-3 against 15th-ranked UW-River Falls in the second NCHA quarterfinal game at Hunt Arena tonight.

River Falls jumped out to the early lead, similar to last night, scoring goals at 4:14 and 6:44 in the first period. The Blugolds responded five minutes later in the period with a Kurt Weston (Fr.-Roseau, Minn.) goal on an assist from Joe Bluhm (Sr.-Red Wing, Minn.).

The Falcons were too much for the Blugolds to handle in the second period and scored three more goals after outshooting the visiting team 16-4, to go up by four goals (5-1).

However, the Blugolds didn't give up and came out and scored twice early in the third period. Weston found the back of the net at 5:53 with an assist from Fred Bidinger (Fr.-Sartell, Minn.) while Tyler Romasco (So.-Perry, Ohio) scored at 7:33 on assists from Jordan Singer (Fr.-Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) and Tyler Trudell (Sr.-Waukesha, Wis./South).

While the Blugolds were within two goals, River Falls added the final dagger at 11:44 to double the score back up at 6-3, where it would stay the rest of the way.

River Falls outshot the Blugolds 34-16 on the night, the second largest margin the Blugolds have seen this season.

Brandon Stephenson (Fr.-Saline, Mich.) stopped 28 shots on the night as he played the full 60 minutes in the goal.

The Blugolds wrap up the season with a record of 8-15-4, their worst since the 2005-06 season when the team went 2-21-4. However, the Blugolds had one more conference win this season compared to last year.