MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. – Behind netminder Joe Morris’ 26 saves and forward Nick Nielsen’s go-ahead goal late in the second period, the St. Thomas men’s hockey team defeated Wisconsin-Eau Claire 3-2 Saturday at the Saint Thomas Ice Arena.

Without All-American goaltender Drew Fielding, who missed the game due to illness, St. Thomas (8-3-3 overall, 3-1-2 MIAC) claimed a victory over the No. 9-ranked Blugolds (9-4-2 overall, 1-1 WIAC) on Hockey Day in Minnesota. The Tommies came out of the gate hot, outshooting the Blugolds 4-1 before drawing a penalty that led to forward Jordan Lovick’s power-play goal.

“It finally just popped out to the left side of the net where I was, and I just tried to get it on net, and it went in. It was huge to get in front of these guys,” Lovick said. “I’ve been a little snakebit lately. I’ve had chances to score, and it hasn’t been going in, so it’s nice to get one.”

The Tommies claimed an early two goal lead just over a minute later on forward Thomas Williams’ first goal of the year. While controlling the majority of the possession and shots in the first period, the Tommies allowed two quick Blugold goals just over one minute apart to end the first period tied at 2-2.

“We got out of our systems a little bit. That was a good hockey team. They will be there in the playoffs,” coach Jeff Boeser said. “I think our leaders stepped up. Back when we were a younger team we might not have handled this well. We might’ve collapsed.”

The score remained locked at 2-2 and the play remained stagnant for most of the second frame before St. Thomas took a decisive lead with Nielsen’s goal near the end of the period.

“It was a good win in a playoff atmosphere. We finished strong, and luckily I was able to get that bounce and able to get the game winner,” Nielsen said. “It was kind of a lucky bounce.”

Eau Claire pressured early in the third period, but St. Thomas was able to prevent the Blugolds from scoring with physicality on the defensive end, finishing checks and blocking multiple shots in front of its own net. St. Thomas secured the victory behind Joe Morris’ goaltending in just his second game of the season and third start of his career.

“The best kept secret probably is that (Morris) is really good,” Boeser said. “But when you have an All-American goaltender, he doesn’t get to see much action. I have the utmost faith in (Morris). Joe is a player … probably (Morris) will get the call tomorrow.”

St. Thomas will resume action Sunday against Aurora University (Illinois).

Jordan Kruger can be reached at krug6172@stthomas.edu.