The Gustavus men’s hockey team trailed 3-2 with five minutes left in the third period, however the Gusties rallied to score three time in the final 2:30 to claim an important 5-3 win over the Bethel Royals in Blaine, Minn. David Martinson scored the hat trick to lead Gustavus. The victory allowed the Gusties to pick up an important series split with the Royals who had claimed a 6-3 win in St. Peter on Friday night. Gustavus is now 8-8-1 overall and 5-3-0 in conference play.
David Martinson scored his first goal of the night at the 8:55 mark of the first period. The Royals tied the game on a goal by Jeff Balvin at 1-1 with a goal at the 18:09 mark. The period ended with the two teams tied at 1-1.
In the second period, Martinson scored his second goal to give the Gusties a 2-1 lead at the 1:49 mark, but then Balvin countered again for Bethel tying the game at 2-2 at the 11:58 mark.
The Royals took their first lead of the game when Dan Bonne scored at 14:54 of the third period. Just when it looked like the Royals might claim their sixth straight win over the Gusties, Casey Dynan scored a power play goal with 2:30 minutes left in the game tying the score at 3-3. One minute later, James Leathers scored what turned out to be the winning goal at the 18:31 mark. David Martinson completed the hat trick with an empty net goal with :30 left to give the Gusties the important victory.
Josh Swartout earned the win in the nets making 24 saves for the Gusties.
Gustavus and St. Thomas, who are currently tied for first place in the MIAC (with Hamline), will play an important MIAC series next weekend. The two long-time rivals play in St. Paul on Friday night and then in St. Peter on Saturday night.