David Martinson becomes the first men's hockey player at Gustavus to be named the AHCA Sid Watson Division III Player of the Year.

Gustavus senior forward David Martinson has been chosen by the American Hockey Coaches Association as the 2010 winner of the Sid Watson Award Award, symbolic of the nation’s best Division III men’s hockey player. The 6-0, 190-pound  native of St. Louis Park, MN, helped the Gusties to a 20-7-2 record, finishing the season with a 3-1 quarterfinal loss to St. Norbert last week.

Martinson, the Player of the Year in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC), earned first team All-American status this season after leading the MIAC in scoring with 23 goals, 13 assists for 36 points. Nationally, he led the NCAA with 1.04 goals per game (29 goals in 29 games) and ranked fifth in points per game at 1.69 with 49 points in 29 games. Martinson compiled 76 goals and 55 assists for 131 points in 85 career contests.  His 0.89 career goals per game average ranks third all-time at Gustavus and his 1.54 career points per game ranks fourth all-time at Gustavus.

Said Gustavus head coach Brett Petersen, “David is an outstanding person and an outstanding hockey player. He is our leader on and off the ice. He gets more out of his teammates than any other player I have coached at Gustavus.”

The award is named in honor of former Bowdoin College head coach Sid Watson, a three-time winner of the Edward Jeremiah Award as Division III Coach of the Year. Watson won 326 games at Bowdoin in a career that spanned from 1959 to 1983. He was also the school’s athletic director.

The runner-up for the 2010 Sid Watson Award was Eric Selleck, a sophomore forward from SUNY
Oswego.

Eric Bigham (on his knees far side of goal) celebrates after scoring the gamewinner at 18:38 of the fourth overtime. (Photo by Brian Fowler - SportPix)

The Gustavus men’s hockey team defeated Augsburg College 6-5 when senior forward Eric Bigham scored the game-winning goal at 18:38 of the fourth overtime on Saturday nightat Don Roberts Ice Rink in St. Peter, Minn.  The win allows the Gusties to advance to the championship game of the MIAC Playoff Tournament which will be played against St. Thomas at Gustavus on Wednesday, March 3 at 7:05 pm. The third-seeded Tommies defeated the second-seeded Pipers 5-4 in overtime on Saturday night at Drake Arena in St. Paul.

The game, which lasted 138 minutes and 38 seconds, is the longest game in the history of Division III men’s hockey surpassing the previous record of 98:42 set by Minn.-Crookston and Milwaukee School of Engineering as UM-Crookston defeated MSOE 2-1 in 2 OT on Feb. 23, 2002.

It is the second longest game in all of collegiate hockey falling just 2:57 shy of the overall record, a 141:35, five-overtime 3-2 victory by Division I Yale over Union (N.Y.) on March 4, 2006.

Gustavus registered 104 shots on goal compared to 57 for Augsburg and Auggie netminder Justin Lochner set an NCAA Division III record for saves in a game with 97.  The previous record was 95 set by Daniel McIntosh of Northland College against Adrian on Jan. 23, 2009.

Saturday’s game began at 7:05 p.m. and ended at 12:35 a.m. on Sunday morning — 5 hours and 30 minutes.

The Gusties trailed 5-3 late in the second period and cut the lead to 5-4 after two periods on a goal by James Leathers at 18:43 of the second period.

In the third period, senior forward David Martinson tied the game at 5-5 on a goal at the 16:04 mark.  The game would remain tied for the next 82:34 before Eric Bigham came from behind the net and scored a wrap-around goal on his knees sliding the puck through the pads of Lochner.

Five different players scored for Gustavus including David Martinson (2), Bigham, Rory Dynan, Mitch Carlson, and James Leathers.  Six different player also were credited with assists including Patrick Dynan (2), Spencer Campion (2), T.J. Ridley, Ross Ring-Jarvi, Rory Dynan, and David Martinson.

Goaltender Josh Swartout played all 138 minutes and 38 seconds of the contest allowing five goals and making 57 saves (a career high).  He improved his season record to 17-3-2.

Box Score

Photo Gallery

NCAA News Story

StarTribune Story

Shane Frederick’s Blog About the Game

KEYC Television Story on the Game

Scott Bridges Story on USCHO.com

Mankato Free Press Story by Shane Frederick

NCAA.com Division III Hockey Notes

Eleven Gustie seniors played their final home game at Don Roberts Ice Rink on Friday night.

The Gustavus men’s hockey team had set a goal to win the MIAC Regular Season Title at the start of the season and the team reached part of that goal on Friday when it defeated Saint Mary’s 5-1 and Hamline tied Concordia 2-2.  The Gusties are now assured of at least a share of this year’s crown.  A win or a tie on Saturday night will give the Gusties the title outright, the first for the program since 1993.

Gustavus jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead and never looked back on its way to the convincing 5-1 win over the Cardinals.  Ross Ring-Jarvi (13:18) and David Martinson (16:09) scored the first two goals for the Gusties.

The Gusties added two more goals in the second period as T.J. Ridley scored at the 3:01 mark and Ring-Jarvi tallied his second of the game at the 12:23 mark.  Gustavus led 4-0 after two periods.

David Martinson tallied his second goal of the game to close out the scoring for the Gusties at the 10:31 mark of the third period.  Saint Mary’s broke up the shutout when Nate Peterson scored at the 11:33 mark.

Josh Swartout was the winning goaltender.  Swartout registered 16 saves.

Box Score

Photo Gallery

Rory Dynan slides the puck through the legs of Beau Christian of Hamline for the gamewinner for the Gusties. (Photo by Ryan Coleman, d3photography.com)

Rory Dynan’s goal with 1:10 left in regulation play gave the Gustavus men’s hockey team a 5-4 win over Hamline and pushed the Gusties (10-2-2, 22 points) back into first place in the MIAC by one-point over Hamline (10-3-1, 21 points).  Josh Swartout registered 23 saves and picked up the win in goal for Gustavus.

After a scoreless first period, the Pipers took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Alex Lundbohm at 6:32 of the second period.  The Gusties would strike back and score twice within two minutes to take a 2-1 lead.  Joe Welch scored at the 8:04 mark and Matt Schugel lit the lamp at the 9:51 mark.  The Pipers then tied the score on a power play goal by Kyle Kurr at the 12:37 mark, but then Gustavus got a goal from David Martinson with just 09 seconds left in the second period to give the Gusties a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes of play.

Martinson scores his second goal of the game to give Gustavus a 3-2 lead with 09 seconds left in the second period. (Photo by Ryan Coleman)

The battle would continue in the third period as Lundbohn tied the score with his second goal of the game at the 7:44 mark, but two minutes later David Martinson gave Gustavus back the lead at 4-3 with his second goal of the game (9:37).  With just over six minutes left to play Tayler Vichorek tied the score for the fourth time in the game when he beat Josh Swartout at the 13;56 mark.

Dynan registered the game-winner with just 90 seconds left to play allowing the Gusties to split the hard-fought series with the Pipers (losing 3-1 in St. Peter on Friday and winning 5-4 in St. Paul on Saturday).

Gustavus will face Saint Mary’s next weekend with the regular season conference title on the line.  The two teams will play Friday night in St. Peter and Saturday night in Winona.  Hamline will host Concordia on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.

Box Score

Josh Swartout came up big for Gustavus against Concordia.

Gustavus goaltender Josh Swartout turned in an outstanding performance to help the men’s hockey team slip past Concordia 2-0 at Don Roberts Ice Rink in St. Peter, Minn. on Saturday afternoon.  David Martinson provided the Gusties with all of the offense they would need as he scored both goals.  With the win, Gustavus remains in first place in conference play with a mark of 9-1-2 (20 points).  The Gusties will face Hamline in a showdown between the first and second place teams in the MIAC standings next Friday and Saturday.

After a scoreless first period, Martinson gave the Gusties a 1-0 lead when he skated up the left side of the rink and snapped a wrist shot past Concordia goaltender Jacob Vatnsdal into the upper right corner of the net at the 3:27 mark of the middle period.  Concordia managed to manufacture several strong scoring opportunities, but Swartout responded with a big save each time the Cobbers put a good shot on net and the Gusties took their 1-0 lead into the locker room after two periods of play.

Martinson celebrates after his first of two goals on the day.

The two teams would continue to battle all through the third period with both squads putting together several good scoring opportunities, but neither team could convert until Martinson once again skated up the left side and sent another laser into the upper right corner of the net with just one minute, ten seconds left in regulation play.  Gustavus would hold on for the important 2-0 victory.

Josh Swartout picked up the win in goal for the Gusties.  He made 19 saves.  Vatnsdahl played well, but suffered the loss for Concordia.  He registered 31 saves.

Box Score

Six position players and two goaltenders in both genders from both the East and West Regions will be selected based on fan voting through the NCAA.com website.  Voting begins on Monday, February 1 and runs through noon on Monday, February 15.  Fans will only be able to vote once.

Support David Martinson! Vote for him to be selected to the West Region Team and encourage your friends to vote for him as well.  Let’s work to get Division III representation at the Frozen Four Skills Challenge!

The NCAA® Frozen Four Skills Challenge features top male and female college hockey student-athletes from across the nation in an East versus West skills competition which includes puck control relay, hardest shot, fastest skater, rapid-fire shooting, accuracy shooting and penalty shots.

David Martinson

Martinson, a 2009 First Team American Hockey Coaches Association All-America selection, currently leads Division III in goals scored with 20.  He also leads the Gusties in scoring with 20 goals and 12 assists for 32 points. Gustavus, which is currently ranked #8 in the most recent USCHO.com Division III poll, leads the MIAC with a record of 7-1-2 (16 points).

David Martinson Biography Page

NCAA.com Frozen Four Skills Challenge Page

Vote for David Martinson – Click on Men’s West Link

2010 NCAA Men’s Division I Frozen Four Home Page

Martinson is one of 22 players nominated for the West Region team. The complete list of West Region candidates includes:

Drew Akins, Minnesota Duluth
Cody Chupp, Ferris State
Michael Davies, Wisconsin
Matt Fairchild, Air Force
Joel Gaurapp, UW-Stout
Zach Harrison, Minnesota State, Mankato
Steven Kampfer, Michigan
Ray Kaunisto, Northern Michigan
Ryan Lasch, St. Cloud State
Kyle Lawson, Notre Dame
Tony Lucia, Minnesota
Zac MacVoy, Lake Superior State
Chris McKelvie, Bemidji State
Chris Moran, Niagara
Kyle Page, Bowling Green
Jarod Palmer, Miami of Ohio
Mathieu Picard, Ohio State
Rhett Rakhshani, Denver
Nick Sucharski, Michigan State
Chris Summers, Michigan
Bill Sweat, Colorado College

David Martinson named MIAC Men's Hockey Player of the Week

Gustavus senior forward David Martinson (St. Louis Park, Minn./St. Louis Park) was named MIAC Men’s Hockey Player of the Week for his efforts against Saint John’s this past weekend.  Martinson registered a total of four goals and one assist, as the Gusties gained three points from the Johnnies with a 3-3 tie Friday night in St. Peter, Minn. and a 6-4 win Sunday morning in the Xcel Energy Center.

The Johnnies led 3-2 at the 8:36 mark of the third period on Friday before Martinson was able to tie the game at 3-3 with an unassisted goal at the 12:07 mark. Martinson had two goals and assist in the game as Gustavus was able to hold on for the 3-3 tie. In Saturday’s 6-4 victory, Martinson scored two of the six Gustavus goals on six shots. Martinson finished with a plus-minus of +5 on the week while taking 10 shots.

This is the third time this season that Martinson has been bestowed MIAC Player of the Week honors.  He currently leads the MIAC in scoring with 23 points (16 goals, 7 assists), as the Gusties remain atop the conference standings with a 7-1-2 record (16 pts).

MIAC Release

The Gusties jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on goals by Brad Wieck (11:26) and David Martinson (11:46) just 20 seconds apart in the first period.  Gustavus, which out-shot Saint John’s 17-5 in the first 20 minutes, led 2-0 at the intermission.

Gustavus continued to build its lead early in the second period as Dane Erickson scored at the 3:41 mark and Ross Ring-Jarvi added a short-handed goal at 5:58 to make the score 4-0.  Martinson added his second goal of the game at the 8:34 mark to make the score 5-0 and then Ring-Jarvi tallied his second goal at the 14:02 mark to extend the lead to 6-0.  Saint John’s scored two goals in the final three minutes of the period and Gustavus led 6-2 after 40 minutes of play.

Gustavus forward Eric Bigham was whistled for a five-minute major penalty at the 15:44 mark of the third period and the Johnnies tallied two power play goals in the final three minutes of the game to make the final score 6-4.

The Gusties out-shot the Johnnies 27-21 in the game. Josh Swartout, who registered 17 saves, picked up the win in goal for Gustavus.

Gustavus, which improved to 7-1-2 in MIAC play and 13-4-2 overall, is currently in first place in the MIAC with 16 points.  Hamline is in second place with a mark of 6-1-1 and 13 points.

Box Score

Josh Swartout makes a save against Saint John's Karl Gilbert

The Gustavus men’s hockey team skated to a 3-3 tie with Saint John’s on Friday night in St. Peter, Minn.  The Johnnies led 3-2 at the 8:36 mark of the third period but Gustavus’ David Martinson tied it up 3-3 with 7:53 left on the clock.  Both teams were unable to score in overtime resulting in a 3-3 tie.  The Gusties were led by Martinson with two goals and one assist.

After a penalty kill by Gustavus at the 7:18 mark in the first period, Saint John’s scored a quick goal 19 seconds later by Chris Murray.  The Gusties were unable to convert on a power play mid-way through the period and went into the first intermission trailing 1-0.

In the second period, Gustavus tied the game 1-1 on a power play goal at the 6:03 mark by David Martinson with assists coming from Ross Ring-Jarvi and Cody Mosbeck.  Just eight seconds after a penalty kill by the Johnnies, Gustavus took a 2-1 lead at the 9:57 mark on a goal  by Ring-Jarvi.  Saint John’s answered with 5:24 remaining in the period on Murray’s second goal of the night and headed into the second intermission tied, 2-2.

David Martinson celebrates after his first of two goals on the night.

After 8:36 of play in the third period, the Johnnies took a 3-2 lead on a power play goal by Alex Lindeberg.  With 7:53 remaining, Martinson tied the score at 3-3 with his second goal of the night.  It was an unusual goal from an extreme angle in the right corner that deflected off Johnnie goaltender Stu Van Ess’ back into the net.

Neither team was able to score in the five minute overtime.

Josh Swartout played all 65 minutes in goal for Gustavus making 27 saves.  Stu Van Ess also played the entire game in the net for Saint John’s making 33 saves.

Gustavus is now 6-1-2 in conference play and 12-4-2 overall, while the Johnnies are now 5-8-3 overall and 1-5-1 in the MIAC.

The Gusties and Johnnies travel to St. Paul, Minn. on Sunday morning to complete the season series at the Xcel Energy Center.  The game is part of the Minnesota Wild’s Skills Competition and will start at 10 a.m.  Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster for $10 or at the Xcel box office for $15.

You will be able to watch Sunday’s hockey game live through the Gustavus Athletics website.

Box Score

Photo Gallery

David Martinson beats Augsburg goaltender Jon Zitur for the Gusties fifth goal.

Senior forward Eric Bigham scored two goals and assisted on two others to help the Gustavus men’s hockey team post a convincing 6-2 win over Augsburg College at Don Roberts Ice Rink on Friday night.  The Gusties led 2-0 after one period and 5-1 after two periods, before claiming the 6-2 victory.  Bigham picked up assists on the first two Gustavus goals and then scored the Gusties third and sixth goals.  Josh Swartout picked up the win in the nets.

Gustavus played a strong first period out-shooting the Auggies 17-3 and taking a 2-0 lead into the locker room at the break.  Rory Dynan scored the Gusties first goal at the 4:04 mark with assists from Bigham and Justin Lee and then Brad Wieck extended the lead to 2-0 with a power play goal at 13:24 with assists from Bigham and Mitch Carlson.

In the second period, the Gusties continued their strong play quickly pushing their lead to 4-0 on goals by Eric Bigham at 4:52 and Ross Ring-Jarvi at 6:30.  Brad Wieck and Dane Erickson assisted on Bigham’s goal, while David Martinson and Patrick Dynan registered the assists on Ring-Jarvi’s goal.  Martinson continued the second period scoring binge with a goal at the 11:40 mark making the score 5-0.  Ring-Jarvi picked up the assist.  Augsburg ended Swartout’s bid for the shutout when David Hines scored a power play goal at 13:59.  Assists were credited to Joel Sauer and Jim Jensen.  The Gusties, who held a 32-13 shot advantage through the first 40 minutes of play, outscored the Auggies 3-1 in the period and led 5-1 after two periods.

Eric Bigham celebrates his first goal of the night that gave the Gusties a 3-0 lead.

Play evened out in the third period with each team scoring a goal and the Gusties out-shooting the Auggies 13-11.  Augsburg’s goal by Corey Ellertson (13:37) cut the lead to 5-2 and then Bigham closed out the scoring with a power play goal at 18:38 to make the score 6-2.  Joel Jonsson and Tony Palma assisted on Bigham’s goal.

Josh Swartout turned in a strong performance in the nets for Gustavus turning away 22 shots and allowing two goals.  Nate Pellegrino played the first 26:30 in the nets for Augsburg and then Jon Zitur played the final 33:30.  Pellegrino registered 20 saves and allowed four goals, while Zitur turned away 19 shots and allowed two goals.  Gustavus out-shot the Auggies 45-20 in contest.

Gustavus, which improves to 11-4-1 overall and 5-1-1 in the MIAC, will travel to Augsburg (9-4-1, 2-2-1) tomorrow night to wrap up the series.  The game is scheduled to start at 7:05 p.m.

Box Score

Photo Gallery