Before the No. 9 UW-Eau Claire men’s hockey team traveled to No. 1 St. Norbert College Tuesday, captain Ross Andersen said this matchup might be the toughest the team will face all year.

The senior forward said although hi team is young, it has the skills to make the plays to win.

The Blugolds made plays to score against the reigning national champions as freshman defenseman RJ Majkozak scored his first career goal for the team less than four minutes into the game.

The Green Knights responded with two goals within the last three minutes of the first period to lead 2-1.

After a scoreless second period, Eau Claire evened the score when freshman forward Jake Hopfner found the back of the net halfway through the third period.

The Blugolds almost forced their second overtime period this season before the Green Knights scored a goal with 25 seconds left in the third period to lift their team to a 3-2 victory.

Eau Claire was 0-6 on power play opportunities and St. Norbert outshot Eau Claire 30-15.

The Blugolds dropped to 3-1-1 on the season and will return home for two contests this weekend.

Eau Claire is set to play a pair of home games this weekend. They play No. 5 Adrian College (Mich.) at 7 p.m. Friday  and Lake Forest College (Ill.) Saturday at the same time in Hobbs Ice Center.