Box Score

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Saint John's hockey battled to a 6-4 non-conference win at Wisconsin-Eau Claire, which sits atop the WIAC standings, on Friday night (Jan. 16).

The Johnnies never trailed and sophomore forward Jordan Newpower (Lino Lakes, Minn.) scored two goals – including the go-ahead tally on the power play with 1:28 remaining – in a game that featured 10 goals and a tied score at least once in each period. The win was SJU's first at Eau Claire since an 8-1 victory on Nov. 15, 2002.

The Johnnies (8-3-3, 3-1-2 MIAC) took the first lead of the game with 2:44 left in the first period on a goal from junior forward Jacob McPartland (Victoria, Minn.) and freshman forward Tyler Smith (Carver, Minn.). Smith cleared the puck out from in front of the net and away from two competing Blugolds before sending it out of the zone at the blue line. His chip, which later became his first collegiate point, bounced off the wall for McPartland on the rush, who made a move to his backhand and beat the UWEC goaltender to the top-right corner.

SJU carried the 1-0 advantage into the second period, but Nolan Grier got the home team on the scoreboard 32 seconds after the break to tie the game at one apiece. 

A trio of seniors connected for the go-ahead goal at the 8:06 mark of the second period. After a poke check to clear the zone from forward Rob Christy (St. Paul, Minn.), defenseman Michael Spinner (Prior Lake, Minn.) rushed into the zone on a 3-on-2 and dished a cross-ice pass to defenseman Zach Enebak (Lakeville, Minn.) for his first goal of the season and second of his career. 

Just two minutes later, freshman forward Jordan Larkee (St. Paul, Minn.) added a cushion with his second goal of the season. After the Johnnies and linemate Cam Boche (Lakeville, Minn.) moved the puck into the neutral zone, a miscommunication and bounce off a Blugold defender gave the puck to Larkee all alone, who buried it in the back of the net. 

That cushion proved useful, as UWEC's Easton Inglis cut the lead back to one on the power play for a 3-2 game at the second intermission.

The Johnnies returned the favor with another goal off the opening faceoff, as a 3-on-1 led to sophomore forward Jordan Newpower's (Lino Lakes, Minn.) fifth goal of the season 21 seconds into the third period. Senior captain Mason Campbell (Rosemount, Minn.) sent the puck across the zone to Newpower, who jumped into the odd-man rush thanks to a Blugold collision. He exchanged passes with junior forward Jackson Borst (Edina, Minn.) before beating Max Gutjahr across the crease.

Grier scored his second goal of the game and ninth of the season to keep UWEC (10-5-1, 6-1-0 WIAC) in the game 2:41 later. The Blugolds then tied the game on a rebound and wrap-around with 10:17 to play in regulation.

SJU was awarded a third-period power play with just over two minutes left in the game and Newpower capitalized for his second goal of the night – and the game-winner – with 1:28 left in the game. Junior defenseman Sam Berry (St. Louis Park, Minn.) moved the puck across the UWEC zone to Newpower whose shot escaped Gutjahr's blocker at the post. 

Junior forward Jackson Bisson (Edina, Minn.) cleared the zone and scored the empty-net insurance goal for the 6-4 final.  

Senior goaltender Jon Howe (Chanhassen, Minn.) made 33 saves in the win for his seventh victory this season (7-2-3 record) and 20th of his career. He has made 30 saves or more in all but three of his starts this season.

The Johnnies visit Wisconsin-Stevens Point (6-8-2, 2-4-1 WIAC) for a 7 p.m. puck drop on Saturday, Jan. 17.