Box Score

Box Score | Listen to Archived Game

Post-Game Press Conference:
-Soley & Coach Schueller (4:07)

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – No. 4 Wisconsin-Eau Claire erased a 2-1 deficit with three even-strength goals in a span of 3:11 late in the second period to defeat Saint John's 4-2 in the first round of the NCAA Division III Men's Hockey Tournament on Wednesday, March 6, in Eau Claire, Wis.

The loss ends Saint John's 2012-13 season with a 16-8-4 overall record (9-4-3 MIAC).

UWEC (21-5-2, 14-3-1 NCHA) scored three even-strength goals in a 5:26 span of the second period in its 5-1 win over SJU earlier this season on Jan. 4. The Blugolds advance to play top-ranked St. Norbert (Wis.) March 9 in the NCAA quarterfinals.

Senior captain Michael Palmiscno (East Grand Forks, Minn.) gave SJU a 1-0 lead 7:33 into the first period. Classmate Joe Harren (Warroad, Minn.) gained possession of the puck behind the UWEC net and fed Palmiscno all alone in front for his fifth goal of the season. The loss was just the second for the Johnnies when they scored first this season (10-2-2 record).

With the Blugolds on a 5-on-3 power play, Kurt Weston tied the game at 1-1 with 6:40 remaining in the first.

Senior Tobias Linbro (Nykvarn, Sweden) gave the lead back to the Johnnies with a put-back of his own shot with 8:46 left in the second period. Harren and Palmiscno assisted on the goal, which was Linbro's seventh of the season.

The lead didn't last along, however, as Eau Claire tied it 1:17 later on a goal from Devin Mantha, a transfer from Division I Miami (Ohio), the first of the three-goal flurry. Isaiah Bennis gave the home team its first lead of the game with 5:38 left on a deflection off an SJU defenseman's skate, and Weston extended the lead to 4-2 only 1:20 later.

Freshman Saxton Soley (Elk Mound, Wis.) made 29 saves in the loss to fall to 15-5-1 on the season.