STEVENS POINT- The UW-Stevens Point men's hockey team came into Saturday night needing a win to force a mini game and then a mini game win to advance in the NCHA Tournament.

Just like a season ago the Pointers got both wins, both by scores of 1-0, to advance to the NCHA Semifinals.

Pointer goalkeeper Nick Graves (Hewitt, WI/Ashwaubenon) stopped all 32 shots he faced on Saturday night to help lead the Pointers to the Quarterfinal win.

Senior Nic Polaski (Delafield/Wasson) scored the game winner in the mini game as his power play goal with 7:03 left gave the Pointers the 1-0 mini game victory.

Kyle Politz (Apple Valley, MN/Apple Valley) and Korey O'Brien got assists on Polaski's game winning goal.

In the opening game both defenses and goalies were on top of their game as neither team could find the back of the net to make it 0-0 going into the third period.

Just like in the mini game, the Pointers scored with 7:03 left to play, this time Sean McNeely (Brooklyn Park, MN/Osseo) shot one in from the blue line to give the Pointers to 1-0 victory. McNeely was assisted by Max Bobrow (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) on the play.

The Pointers then held off a fierce UW-Eau Claire charge as Graves stayed strong the rest of the way. Graves made 19 saves in the opener and 13 in the mini game.

The Pointers have to await the outcome of the UW-River Falls and UW-Stout matchup to determine where they will be playing next weekend. If the Falcons win, the Pointers will travel to UW-Superior, otherwise a Blue Devils win would sent the Pointers to face off with St. Norbert.

Next weekend will be just one game, with the winner moving on the NCHA Championship game. Game time will be set for 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.