STEVENS POINT, Wis.-The third-ranked UW-Stevens Point men's hockey team used a pair of power-play goals to defeat UW-River Falls, 5-1, in the opening game of the WIAC Tournament semifinal round on Friday night at K.B. Willett Arena.
 
Just 42 seconds into the game, sophomore forward Luke McElhenie (Sauk City, WI/) tallied a power-play goal giving the Pointers (19-4-2) an early 1-0 lead over UW-River Falls (8-16-4).
 
Less than two minutes later, Colin Raver (Bartlett, IL/) extended the UWSP lead, netting his ninth goal of the season 2:31 into the opening period.
 
At 16:25 of the second period, Brennen Miller (Keller, TX/) tallied the Pointers' second power-play goal of the evening to give UWSP a 3-0 lead late in the middle period.
 
Kelly O'Brien (Detroit, MI/) gave the Pointers a four-goal advantage at 18:01 of the second period.
 
With less than a minute to play in the second period, Terry Leabo scored a power-play goal to cut into the Pointers' lead heading into the final frame.
 
Tanner Karty (Oklahoma City, OK/) capped the scoring for UWSP at the 16:06 of the third period.
 
UWSP finished 2-for-5 on the power play.
 
UWSP out shot UWRF, 45-15. Max Milosek (Lapeer, MI/) recorded 14 saves in net for the Pointers.
 
With a win or a tie tomorrow evening, the Pointers will advance to the WIAC Commissioner's Cup Championship game on March 3. Tomorrow night's contest is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at K.B. Willett Arena.