(Jeff Lawler photo, d3photography.com)
MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. – Colton Schmidt (So., Eden Prairie, Minn.) scored 2:38 into the overtime period, leading the No. 4 seed Gustavus men’s hockey team to a 4-3 victory over the No. 1 seed University of St. Thomas Saturday evening to advance to the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Playoff Championship game.
The Gusties and Tommies each traded two goals in the second period with one each on the man advantage. St. Thomas opened the scoring just over two minutes into the middle frame, prior to the Black and Gold answering with two tallies.
Schmidt tied the game two minutes after the opening goal, on the power play, assisted by Will LeNeave (Fy., Medina, Minn.) and Jared Bromberg (So., Rochester, Minn.). Despite taking a 2-1 advantage after a Van Sullivan (Jr., Brentwood, Tenn.) goal, within minutes of each other, the home team countered and tied the game with a power play goal of its own near the end of the second period.
Gustavus held a 23-14 shot on goal advantage heading into the final frame. The two teams again traded goals in the third period, with the Tommies gaining a 3-2 lead 12:06 into the period. Jake McCann (Sr., Shoreview, Minn.) and the Gusties answered quickly to tie the game with help from Schmidt and Chris Amsden (Jr., St. Peter, Minn.) at the 13:55 minute mark to force the overtime period.
The visitors’ momentum carried into the fourth frame as Schmidt capitalized off of a rebound opportunity to guide the Gusties to their first MIAC title game since 2014.
Amsden earned the win in net, improving his record to 9-7-1 on the season while recording the first assist by a Gustie goalie since John McLean in 2014. Each team went 1-2 on the power play.
Gustavus will head to Minneapolis, Minn. next Saturday for the MIAC Playoff final at No. 3 seeded Augsburg University.
Go Gustavus!!!!!!!