SUPERIOR, Wis. – Fifth-ranked UW-Eau Claire scored three times in the third period to break open a tight game, going on to a 5-1 victory over the UW-Superior women's hockey team at Wessman Arena Thursday.
 
Four different players scored for the Blugolds, who improved to 13-2-1 overall and 4-0-0 in the WIAC with the win. Senior Kaleigh Martinson got her 13th goal of the season on a second-period power play to pull UWS within 2-1 as the Yellowjackets fell to 9-3-1 and 2-2-0 in the league.
 
Eau Claire opened the scoring at 5:59 of the second period as Ella Ierino beat Superior goaltender Catherine Johnson on the stick side from right circle. Dehli Heikes and Sydney Hendricks assisted on the play. UWEC struck again less than three minutes later, doubling the lead to 2-0 on a goal from Olivia Smallbrock at 8:35.
 
Then, at 11:42 of the period, Martinson cashed in on what was the only power play of the game for either team. She drove the net, went to her backhand and slipped it by goaltender Erin Connolly to give the 'Jackets momentum heading to the third. Sophomore Jenna Byfuglien  picked up her seventh assist of the season on the play, which gave the 'Jackets momentum heading into the third. It didn't last long, though.
 
Danielle Slominski made it 3-1 at the 4:20 mark of the third when her shot along the ice sneaked through Johnson. Morgan Zirbel pushed the lead to 4-1 as her shot rolled up Johnson's stick and into the net at 7:57.
 
Elizabeth Bauer capped the scoring with 6:36 on the clock. She stole a clearing attempt up the middle of the ice and fired it home for the final margin.
 
Connolly stopped s0 shots for Eau Claire while Johnson made 16 saves on 21 shots. The 'Jackets won 30-of-45 faceoffs.
 
The teams close their regular-season series with a 7 p.m., Saturday rematch at Hobbs Ice Arena.