EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - A third period rally came up just short for the UW-Stevens Point women's hockey team as they dropped the final game of the three-game series 4-3 against UW-Eau Claire this Saturday evening at Hobbs Ice Arena. 

Down three goals in the third period, the Pointers (12-8-2, 4-4-0 WIAC) rallied for two goals to cut the Blugold (15-7-0, 4-3-0 WIAC) lead to just one in the final minutes of the game. After Alex Grubb's power play goal at 13:56, the Pointers were able to get off just one shot in the last five minutes and the Blugolds denied a Pointers comback.

The Blugolds took a two-goal lead in the first period scoring at the 1:23 and 11:23 minute marks. Alex Grubbs (Minong, WI/Spooner), assisted by Cara Lemirande (Janesville, WI/Craig), answered back finding the back of the net at 13:14 for a 2-1 game.

Within striking distance, the Pointers played tough and physical with the Blugolds throughout the second period, until Eau Claire scored back-to-back goals in the last few minutes of the period. Blugold's Erin Goddell scored at 15:12, and while the Pointers were on the power play, Eau Claire's Kelly Knetter scored shorthanded to extend the lead to three goals. 

Midway through the third period, Ellie Punnett (Hailey, ID/Athol Murray College of Notre Dame) netted her fourth goal of the season at 10:54 on the Pointers power play. Grubbs then made it 4-3, scoring her second goal of the night, fourth of the season, at the 13:56 minute mark. In the final minutes, Stevens Point managed just one shot and were unable to overcome the three-goal deficit. 

The UW-Stevens Point women's hockey team returns to action on February 10 as they host UW-Superior at Ice Hawks Arena at 7 p.m. Following the UW-Superior game, the Pointers will have its last regular season home game on February 15 against St. Thomas and will celebrate Senior Day.