Lenny Hofmann scored with 1:44 remaining in the third period to cap a five-goal rally as St. Mary’s beat Wisconsin-Eau Claire 7-6 Friday evening at the SMU Ice Arena in a non-conference game marred by 62 minutes in penalties.
UW-Eau Claire scored six of the game’s first eight goals — including three on just four shots in the second period — to grab what appeared to be a commanding 6-2 advantage midway through the second period. But the Cardinals responded to the challenge, scoring a pair of power-play goals in the second period — the second by Matt Hangge with one second remaining — to cut the Eau Claire lead to 6-4.
Todd Hangge made it a 6-5 game with his second goal of the game four minutes into the third period, before brother Matt and Hofmann completed the comeback with back-to-back goals less than 29 seconds apart late in the period.
Ryan Stinson and Colin Emans also scored for the Cardinals, who snapped a two-game losing streak with the win.
Twenty-seven penalties were called in the game, with SMU (7-4-1) converting on five of its 12 power-play opportunities, while UW-Eau Claire (7-6-0) was 0-for-2.
