EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - UW-Eau Claire scored to two unanswered goals to force a 2-2 tie with the fourth-ranked UW-Stevens Point men's hockey team at Hobbs Arena Friday evening in the first game of Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Commissioner's Cup semifinals series, sponsored by Culvers.
 
Box Score
 
Just 3:52 into the third period, UW-Eau Claire's (15-5-6) Lucas Kohls scored the equalizer, off assists by Garret Clement and Adam Knochemus to force the tie with UWSP (19-5-2)
 
Jacob Barber (Dardenne Prairie, MO) opened the scoring for the Pointers, scoring an unassisted goal off a wrist shot in the slot, 4:12 into the game to take an early 1-0 lead.
 
With 4:43 remaining in the first period, Alex Kromm (Penticton, BC) put home a loose puck in the crease to give the Pointers a 2-0 advantage heading into the second period.
 
Midway through the second period, Jake Hopfner scored off assists from Brandon Wahlin and Todd Koritzinsky, before Kohls goal to open the third period.
 
UWEC outshot the Pointers 34-28.
 
Sophomore goaltender Max Milosek (Lapeer, MI) made 32 saves for UWSP, while his counterpart Jay Deo made 26 for UW-Eau Claire.
 
The Pointers return to action on Saturday night, Feb. 27, taking on UW-Eau Claire at Hobbs Arena at 7 p.m. in a winner-take-all showdown, with the winner advancing to the WIAC Championship game against the winner of UW-River Falls/UW-Stout.