Box Score

STEVENS POINT – The Pointer men's hockey team figured the new year was a good time to snap their three-game losing skid, scoring the most goals in a game since 1999, defeating the Golden Eagles of the University of Minnesota, Crookston 13-1 in their first game back from the holiday break.

After a disappointing end to the first half of the season in mid December, the Pointers came out looking to make an impression. They did just that.

Nick Polaski (Delafield) scored his second goal of the season to give UWSP the early lead just :47 in to start the goal parade. Travis Erstad (Stevens Point, WI/SPASH) (Stevens Point) and Harrison Niemann (Canton, MI/Novi) (Lanton, Mich.) each added goals of their own to give UWSP a 3-0 lead after the first period.

In the second, the goals kept coming, as Jon Madden (Brighton, MI/Howell) (Brighton, Mich.) scored his 12th and 13th goals of the season and Erstad added another before Crookston got on the board right before the end of the period, as UWSP took a 6-1 lead into the third.

In the third, UWSP took advantage of a five minute major by Crookston and tallied three power play goals in a :49 span, blowing the game wide open. Luke Nesper (Eagle River, WI/Northland Pines) (Eagle River), Matt Stendahl (Forest Lake, MN/Forest Lake) (Forest Lake, Minn.), Tim Manthey (Anoka, MN/Anoka) (Anoka, Minn.), Russell Law (Bay City, MI/Shattuck (MN)) (Bay City, Mich.) and Creighton Scarpone (Buchanan, MI/Pendleton) (Buchanan, Mich.) each tallied goals while Madden and Erstad added their third goals of the game.

For the game, Erstad and Madden each tallied hat-tricks while Jonathan Ralph (Chester, NJ/Shattuck St. Mary's) (Chester, N.J.), Nesper and Niemann each tallied three assists in the 12 goal victory.

The win for the Pointers was the most goals scored in a game since a 1999-2000 victory over Augustana and the largest margin of victory since a 21-1 victory over St. Norbert in 1991-92 season. The Pointers six power play goals in the game also ties a school record.

UW-Stevens Point (9-5) returns to action on Jan. 3 in the final game of an eight-game home stand when they host St. Olaf in non-conference action a 7:30 p.m. at K.B. Willett Arena.