The Gustavus men’s hockey team dropped to 2-6-1 on the season with a 4-3 loss to UW-Stout in the consolation game of the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Holiday Tournament. The Gusties led 3-2 entering the third period, but the Blue Devils rallied to score two third period goals and hand Gustavus the 4-3 setback. Niko Suoraniemi recorded one goal and one assist to lead the Gusties.
Gustavus got off to a slow start as UW-Stout scored two goals in the first seven minutes of the game. Jon Keseley cut the lead to 2-1 when he recorded a power play goal at 10:08 of the first frame. Suoraniemi was credited with the assist.
The Gusties surged into the lead in the second period as Eric Bigham tied the score with a goal at the 6:27 mark and Suoraniemi gave Gustavus the lead with a goal at the 12:30 mark. Ben Olilla was credited with an assist on Bigham’s goal, while Josh Gaw and Mike Hosfield picked up assists on Suoraniemi’s goal. The Gusties went into the locker room at the end of the second period with a 3-2 lead.
UW-Stout evened the score at 3-3 when Andy Wiesner scored just two minutes into the third period. The game remained tied until the 7:00 minute mark when UW-Stout’s Adam Boche scored what turned out to be the game-winner on a power play goal. The Blue Devils controlled play in the final period out-shooting Gustavus 11-5.
John Paszkiewicz suffered the loss in the nets for Gustavus. He recorded 27 saves and allowed four goals.
This was the second meeting of the season between Gustavus and UW-Stout. The two squads tied 6-6 in a game in Menomonie on Nov. 4.
The Gusties next game will be Dec. 1 at Hamline.