The Gustavus men’s hockey team hosted St. Scholastica in its season opener on Friday night at Don Roberts Ice Rink in St. Peter, Minn. The Saints scored a short handed goal with 1:15 remaining to win 3-2. St. Scholastica improves to 2-0-1 overall, while Gustavus falls to 0-1-0 overall.
St. Scholastica took the lead 5:07 into the game with a power play goal from Gordon Burnett. Burnett took a pass from teammate Jason Murray and fired the puck over Gustie goaltender Brett Sawyer’s right shoulder.
The Saints doubled their score 1:17 into the second period with an unassisted goal from Kyle Cash. Approximately six minutes later, the Gusties cut the lead in half with a power play goal from Adam Meyer. Joe Ulwelling and Jason Watters were awarded the assist on the Gusties’ first goal of the season.
The score remained 2-1 in favor of the Saints at the end of the second period. Gustavus defender Keith Detlefsen almost tied the game up with a shot approximately nine minutes into the third period. Detlefsen’s slap shot from the center of the ice beat the Saint goaltender, but it deflected off the post. Gustavus went on the power play at 9:53 when Saints defender Gordon Burnett was called for tripping. The Gusties worked the puck around the four defenders and Mike Hosfield found teammate Adam Meyer just inside the blue line. Meyer hit the pass one time and beat the Saint goaltender to tie the game up at 2-2.
Gustavus went on the power play again when Dan Van Gronigen was called for hooking at 17:08. The Gusties worked the puck around in their attacking zone but the Saints were able to clear the puck. Saints forward Kory Kutchmarek got to the puck first and took it the length of the ice and slipped a shot past goaltender Brett Sawyer for the short handed goal. Gustavus pulled the goalie with 37 seconds remaing but were unable to manufacture a goal and the Saints held on for their second win of the season.
Goaltender Josh Liebig faced 20 shots and recorded 18 saves for the win in the nets for St. Scholastica. Gustie goaltender Brett Sawyer faced 29 shots and made 26 saves in the losing effort.
Gustavus will host University of Wisconsin-Superior on Saturday, November 6. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:05pm.