Box Score | Photos (John Biasi)

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Wis.-Eau Claire defeated Saint John's 3-2 in the Johnnies' season opener Friday, Oct. 31 at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud.

SJU took a 1-0 lead on a goal from senior forward Pat Connelly (Birchwood, Minn.) 11:25 into the first period. Senior defenseman Lance Wheeler (Clearwater, Minn.) assisted on the scoring play for the Johnnies (0-1, 0-0 MIAC).

The Blugolds tied the game on a goal from D.J. Clark with 1:17 left in the first frame.

UWEC's Sean Garrity gave Eau Claire (2-0, 0-0 NCHA) a 2-1 lead 57 seconds into the first, before Joe Bluhm increased the Blugolds' lead to 3-1 with 2:48 left in the second period.

Senior forward Jake Hipp (Bismarck, N.D.) cut the deficit to 3-2 with a goal two minutes later (19:12), his 50th career point, with an assist going to senior forward and captain Clayton Rehm (Park Rapids, Minn.).

Senior goaltender Vince Wheeler (Clearwater, Minn.) made 29 saves in the loss, while UWEC's Tyler Brigl made 15 stops to improve his record to 2-0 on the young season.

Both teams combined for a 0-for-10 showing on the power play, while Wis.-Eau Claire held a 32-17 edge in shots on goal in the game.

The Johnnies play host to Wis.-Stevens Point for a 2 p.m. game on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud.