Elmira won its first game in three meetings against host Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 6-3, in the first of a two-game series.
The visiting Soaring Eagles jumped to an early 2-0 lead on goals by Nick Glander and Pavol Kocvara, at 1:54 and 3:17 of the first period.
The Pointers responded with a score by Bryan Fricke at 4:41 and a the game’s only power play goal, by Josh Strassman at 14:23, to tie the contest at 2-2.
Elmira’s Craig McDonald had the second period’s only goal, at 2:45.
Stevens Point tied the game on a Ryan Fell goal at 4:49 of the third period.
The Soaring Eagles scored twice on breakaways in the third, Pierre Rivard at 8:46 and McPherson at 18:41, before freshman Jarrett Konkle added an empty net goal with just a second left on the clock.
Elmira’s Nick Edling made 32 saves, while Bob Gould stopped 27 shots for the Pointers.
The loss was only the second season-opening defeat for Stevens Point in the last eight campaigns.
Stevens Point (0-1-0) hosts Elmira (1-0-0) Saturday at 7:30 p.m. CT.
