Adam Smyth became the first Gustavus hockey player to score four goals since David Martinson did so in 2009.
The Gustavus men’s hockey team extended its winning-streak to four games thanks in large part to a four-goal performance by sophomore Adam Smyth on Saturday night in Appleton, Wis. The Gusties capped off its weekend series in Wisconsin with a 5-3 victory over Lawrence University, improving to 6-4-2 overall on the season.
Smyth became the first Gustavus hockey player to tally four goals in a game since David Martinson did so twice on Nov. 14 against St. Olaf and Nov. 20 against Bethel in the 2009-10 season.
The Gusties got on the scoreboard first for the second time of the weekend. Dane Erickson hit the back of the net 1:31 into the game to put Gustavus up 1-0. Gustavus tallied 14 shots to Lawrence’s nine in the first period.
Lawrence answered when Phil Bushbacher notched the game-tying goal at the 6:11 mark of the second period.
Gustavus and Adam Smyth responded with three unanswered goals in a three-minute span later in the period. Smyth’s goals came at 12:46, 13:45, and 15:47 of the second, giving Gustavus a 4-1 lead. Smyth’s hat trick completing goal turned out to be the game-winner. Lawrence had the advantage in shots in the second period 13-to-7.
Lawrence’s Phil Bushbacher cut the lead to 4-2 at in the eighth minute of the third period and Patrick Coyne brought the game to within one goal at 4-3 in the 15th.
Smyth put an end to any comeback thoughts at the 18:21 point of the frame with an empty netter to bring the contest to a final at 5-3.
John McLean picked up the win, his fourth-straight, between the pipes. McLean allowed three goals and made 28 saves in the win. McLean is now 5-3-0 with a save percentage of .927 and a goals against average of 2.12 on the season.
Lawrence finished with the shot advantage at 31-to-29, yet were held scoreless on one power play try. Gustavus went 2-for-4 on the man advantage in the game, scoring on the power play for the third-straight game.
Gustavus will cap off the calendar year with a mid-week matchup against UW-River Falls on Wednesday night in River Falls, Wis. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.