WELLS — After dropping three of its last four games, Escanaba hockey was looking for a bounce-back performance against Neguanee on Tuesday.

The Eskymos did just that, dismantling the Miners for a 10-2 home win.

“They were down five players and were pretty tired by the middle of the second period,” Esky coach Andy Johnson said of Negaunee. “We were making easy plays in the first period. We wanted to get back to our game. We knew we had to play with a sense of urgency. We wanted to win the loose puck battles and take away their time and space.”

The Eskymos called game when junior forward Alex Schwalbach scored 5:06 into the third period not only to give him a hat trick, but to invoke the mercy rule. Schwalbach wasn’t the only Eskymo to shine on Tuesday night. Sophomore defenseman Nolan Bink put the biscuit in the back of the net one time. He also collected six assists.

“I thought Nolan played a great game, helping set up our offense and making plays in our attacking zone,” Johnson said. “We controlled the puck well in the second period. We got more guys involved in our offense tonight.”

Negaunee, which finished the game down to 10 players, got on the board 2:58 into the second stanza when junior forward Aydan Miles found the back of the net on a one-timer from inside the right faceoff circle.

Schwalbach scored his second goal on a one-timer from inside the blue line for a 5-1 cushion 7:49 into the second frame.

Sophomore forward Carson Hughes then scored from the doorstep at 11:07 and inside the right circle at 13:55, giving the Eskymos a 7-1 advantage.

Miles scored Negaunee’s second goal from the slot with 74 seconds left in the second period.

Esky clapped back 46 seconds later when senior captain Brett Labre then gave Esky an 8-2 cushion from the high slot.

“This was a hard game,” Negaunee coach Dale Hopper said. “We were down to eight skaters and couldn’t sustain anything. We had four players out with injuries and lost one more during the game. Although, I commend our guys for the effort. They didn’t give up.”

Junior forward Cale Carter scored Esky’s ninth goal on a rebound 1:22 into the third, setting the stage for Schwalbach’s game-clinching tally.

Schwalbach opened the scoring from the slot. Labonte converted from inside the left circle and Bink added an unassisted goal from the doorstep, giving the Eskymos a 3-0 lead after the opening frame.

Sophomore forward Graham Johnson added a one-time from inside the blue line for a four-goal cushion 67 seconds into the second stanza.

Esky outshot the Miners 42-15 and cashed in on 3-of-6 power plays.

“When we had opportunities, we seemed to capitalize,” Hopper said. “Our defense got tired quick. Giving up those power play goals hurt and our penalties didn’t help. It’s hard to win games when you do that.”

Sophomore goaltender Cully Hayes made 13 saves for Esky and Negaunee senior goalie Patrick Klumpp stopped 32 shots.

“Cully made some great saves when he needed to,” coach Johnson said. “It was nice to see all our top guys get on the score sheet. I thought Aydan Miles played real well for them.”

Esky travels to Ashwaubenon, Wis. to face the Jaguars on Tuesday. Negaunee hosts Kingsford Monday.

Negaunee 0 2 0 — 2

Escanaba 3 5 2 — 10

Scoring plays:

First period

E — Schwalbach (Johnson), 3:14

E — Labonte (Bink, Mattonen), 8:56

E — Bink (unassisted), 10:08

Second period

E — Johnson (Carter, Bink), 1:07

N — Miles (Williams) power play, 2:58

E — Schwalbach (Mattonen), 7:49

E — Hughes (Bink), 11:07

E — Hughes (Bink, Labonte), 13:55

N — Miles (Williams), 15:46

E — Labre (Johnson, Bink) power play, 16:32

Third period

E — Carter (Bink), 1:22

E — Schwalbach (Carter) power play, 5:06.

Statistics

Shots on goal: Escanaba 42, Negaunee 15

Power plays: Escanaba 3-6, Negaunee 1-1

Goaltender saves: Escanaba (Hayes 13), Negaunee (Klumpp 32).