The Gustavus men’s hockey team wrapped up the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 3-3 tie against the University of Wisconsin-Superior in Superior on Saturday night. Joe Welch scored the tying goal for the Gusties with two minutes and 22 seconds remaining in the third period.
The Gusties led 1-0 after the first period on a goal by David Martinson at the 7:50 mark. Ben Ollila was credited with the assist.
The Yellowjackets took a 2-1 lead in the second period on goals by Braden DeSmet (2:01) and Brian Bina (7:48). Gustavus rallied to tie the score at 2-2 on a goal by Ben Ollila at 16:32 of the second period. Assists were credited to David Martinson and Patrick Dynan. The second period ended with the scored tied at 2-2.
In the third period, UW-Superior regained the lead on a goal by Chris Berry at the 3:54 mark. The Yellowjackets looked like they might be on their way to victory when Welch gave the Gusties new life with a power play goal at the 17:38 mark. Jay Fifield and Cody Mosbeck were credited with the assists.
The Gusties had the better of the play in the overtime outshooting the Yellowjackets 7-2 and having an opportunity on the power play, but neither team was able to score and the game ended in a 3-3 tie.
Josh Swartout was the goalie of record for Gustavus. Swartout recorded 29 saves in 65 minutes of action. He is now 3-3-1 on the season with a 2.40 goals against average.
Gustavus completed the year with a 3-3-1 record against its NCHA opponents. The Gusties picked up wins against Lake Forest, St. Norbert, and St. Scholastica.
Coach Brett Petersen and his squad will now focus the rest of its season on conference play and qualifying for the MIAC post-season tournament. The Gusties are currently in a three-way tie for first place in the MIAC with eight points (4-2-0). The team will face Bethel next weekend with Friday nights game in St. Peter and Saturday night’s game at Bethel’s rink in Blaine.