David Martinson scored a power play goal three minutes into overtime to give the Gustavus men’s hockey team a 2-1 win over Bethel in Blaine on Friday. Head Coach Brett Petersen earned the 100th win of his career with the victory as the Gusties improved to 6-3-0 overall and 3-2-0 in the MIAC. The Royals dropped to 6-4-1 overall and 2-3-0 in the league standings.
Defense prevailed in the first period as Gustavus was held to nine shots, while Bethel managed just three shots on goal as the teams skated to a scoreless at the first intermission.
The Gusties came out with increased intensity in the second period, but the Royals lit up the scoreboard first when Mason Swenson scored a power play goal on a pass from Brad Peterson midway through the period at 10:17. Gustavus knotted the score at 1-1 minutes later when Jamie Leathers got the puck past Bethel goaltender Aaron Damjanovich with 2:02 remaining in the period. Eric Bigham and Joe Welch were credited with assists on the play. The teams skated into the locker room locked at 1-1.
Coach Petersen’s squad continued to pressure Damjanovich in the third period as the Gusties outshot the Royals 15-9. However, Gustavus was not able to put the go-ahead goal on the board as the game went into overtime.
As the contest appeared to be headed towards a tie, Bethel was caught on a line change for too many skaters on the ice at the 3:02 mark. Fourteen seconds later, David Martinson scored his 11th goal of the season after receiving a pass from Ross Ring-Jarvi and Mitch Carlson.
The Gusties’ Josh Swartout made 17 saves and allowed one goal as he improved his record to 3-2-0. Damjanovich finished with 37 saves in the losing effort.
The 2-1 victory was the 100th career win for head coach Brett Petersen. Petersen, who is in his ninth season at Gustavus, has compiled an overall record of 100-101-16. Petersen joins Don Roberts as the only head coaches in Gustavus men’s hockey history to reach 100 career wins. Roberts finished his 33-year career with a record of 532-290-25.
Gustavus will look to sweep the series against Bethel on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. at Don Roberts Ice Rink. Live statistics can be accessed for the contest here.
Box Score