ADRIAN, Mich. - The men's hockey team looked like they were going to suffer defeat in regulation on Friday night (Nov. 26) in the first game of their Thanksgiving Tournament at Arrington Ice Arena. UW-Eau Claire took a 3-1 lead at the 11:57 mark but then the Bulldogs awoke to the tune of a pair of goals just 23 seconds apart to force overtime. The Bulldogs suffered their second home loss of the season when Kurt Weston tipped-in a shot from John Kearns off a faceoff at the 2:15 mark of overtime giving UWEC a 4-3 victory over Adrian (5-2).

UWEC and Adrian were tied 1-1 after one period as Shawn Skelly scored his third of the season on a rebound at 18:54 of the period.

The Blugolds led 2-1 after the second period as Adrian managed just seven shots on goal in the stanza. Robbie Anderegg scored his first of the season at even strength at 9:06 of the second.

Ross Janecyk scored his team-leading seventh goal of the year at 11:57 from Isaiah Bennis and Eric O'Hearn to give UWEC a 3-1 lead. Adrian made a quick push as Eric Miller notched his fourth goal of the season in the slot at 12:51 on the power play from Skelly and Zach Graham to cut the lead to 3-2. Just 23 seconds later, Mike Dahlinger made a great speed rush and took a long pass beating the goaltender to the puck and slipping it past the goal line to tie the contest at 3-3 at 13:14. Dahlinger's third of the season was assisted by Brad Houston and Sam Kuzyk.

Adrian outshot UWEC, 10-8, in the third period as the teams went into the extra session. The Blugolds outshot Adrian, 3-1, in overtime as Weston's goal propelled UW-Eau Claire to their fourth win of the season (4-4). Brad Fogal made 28 saves for Adrian including 14 in the first period. Both teams were 1-for-7 on the power play for the game.

Adrian will square off with #5 Hamline (5-2) tomorrow at 7:00 PM in the second game of the tournament. The Pipers lost 4-2 to #9 SUNY Geneseo in the earlier game on Friday.