The UW-Eau Claire men’s hockey team began their double-header weekend against UW-River Falls with a few different things on the line: a consecutive-game winning streak and two NCAA records up for grabs. After Friday night, they had claimed one of the three  in  an 8-3 win over the Falcons.

They needed 17:55 minutes to break the record for most consecutive game time without allowing a goal. With a rowdy crowd and NCAA records on the line, Hobbs Ice Center was electric.

“We’re just moving ahead here and sticking to our game plans, sticking to our season plans,” head coach Matt Loen said. “Hopefully we can continue to get better as the season continues.”

At the top of the first period, both teams came out bruising. Even after Eau Claire junior defenseman Chris Heineman’s stick snapped, senior forward Jon Waggoner sped down the rink and scored Eau Claire’s first goal of the night, his eighth this season. Seniors Jared Williams, forward, and David Donnellan, defenseman, were both credited with assists.

With goalie Tyler Green making vital saves, the Blugolds lasted 17:55 to break the NCAA record. Every second after that would become another rung on a difficult ladder to climb.

At 5:29 into the second period, freshman forward Patrick Moore brought the puck to the Falcons’ goal for the team’s second goal.

Not long after, with 6:45 left, sophomore forward Charles Thauwald went ahead and scored to help put the Blugolds up 3-0. Junior defenseman Jack Callahan and freshman forward Adam Knochenmus were credited with assists.

The Blugolds’ game time streak ended at 354:26 minutes total when the Falcons took control of the remaining time in the period.

In the third period, Eau Claire responded in a big way. Senior forward Niko Kapetanovic, Donnellan and Moore all scored. Junior forward Ross Anderson also scored twice in the period.

“(Team scoring) definitely was a big confidence booster for everyone,” Thauwald said. “It shows the hard work and determination everyone has on the team.”

The Falcons would go on to score twice in the third period as well but all too late, as Eau Claire came out with the 8-3 victory.

Coming off the win Friday, the No. 7-ranked Blugolds prepared for their second game of the weekend against the No.13-ranked Falcons at Hobbs Ice Center.

Donnellan started the Blugolds off with a goal at 7:03 into the first period. Sophomore defenseman Jeff Pauluk and freshman forward David Henry had the assists.

The Falcons would strike back after taking advantage of a power play to tie the game at 1-1.

Eau Claire would not score again for the rest of the night as River Falls went on to score two more times to win 3-1.

“I think scoring was the biggest difference from Friday to Saturday, we were not able to score,” Thauwald said. “We missed a couple open nets that we probably should’ve buried and did bury the night before.”

The Blugolds are 12-4-1 overall on the season as their WIAC record drops to 1-2-1. River Falls are now 11-5-2 while their WIAC record of 4-2 has them leading the conference.

“For us to have a good shot to go to nationals I think we need to win our conference.” Thauwald said. “The rest of the season is as important as it gets. The competition in the WIAC is intense. There’s more physical play and the rivalries are bigger.”

With this loss, the Blugolds snap an eight game undefeated streak and find themselves needing wins against the rest of their WIAC opponents for playoff contention.

Eau Claire has another double header as they take on UW-Stout at 7:30 p.m. this Friday and Saturday in Menomonie.