STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The No. 14-ranked UW-River Falls men's hockey team fell 5-0 at UW-Stevens Point Friday evening during the WIAC opener.
 
The No. 10-ranked Pointers claimed the first lead of the game just over five minutes in before adding another late in the first period.
 
UWRF earned its first power play of the night with just over a minute left in the first frame, the UWSP answered with a shorthanded goal with 15 seconds left to take a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
 
The Falcons were down Vilho Saariluoma and Noah Roofe for a chunk of the second period as both were assessed 10-minute misconducts. UWSP capitalized, extending its lead to 3-0 with a goal three minutes into the middle stanza.
 
In the third period, the Pointers added a pair, including one on the power play, their first of eight opportunities. 
 
The Falcons led 29-28 in shots on goal, led by four each from Gibb Coady and Gabe Wahl.
 
Dean Buchholz made 23 saves on the night and suffered the loss as his record drops to 1-2-1 on the season.
 
UW-River Falls continues WIAC play tomorrow night, hosting Northland College at Hunt Arena.