The Gustavus Adolphus men’s hockey team suffered its first overtime setback of the season with a 2-1 loss to St. Thomas on Saturday night in Mendota Heights, Minn. The Tommies secured the series split, regaining sole possession of first place in the MIAC with a goal by Travis Baker at the 2:11 mark of overtime. Shael Hechter recorded Gustavus’s only goal on assists coming from Gustav Bengtson and Adam Smyth.
Gustavus falls to 7-3-1 overall and 3-2-1 in the MIAC, while St. Thomas improves to 7-4-0 overall and 4-2-0 in the MIAC.
Hechter put Gustavus up 1-0 with a power play goal at the 15:02 mark of the first period. The goal was his third on the year as he has now recorded four points (4G, 1A).
The Gusties would hang on to the one-goal advantage until the final minute of regulation. St. Thomas pulled its goalie late to add the extra attacker, and Phil Johnson netted the game-tying goal at the 19:02 mark, sending the game into overtime.
Ross Ring-Jarvi was charged with a tripping minor just :21 seconds into overtime, and the Tommies took advantage. Baker notched the game-winner with just :10 seconds remaining on the power play, giving the Tommies their fourth MIAC victory of the season.
Josh Swartout suffered the loss between the pipes for Gustavus. He played the full 62:11, allowing two goals and making 20 saves. Swartout is now 4-3-1 on the season. Tyrone Simcoe was the winning goaltender, making 21 saves and allowing the one goal.
Both teams recorded 22 shots in the game. Gustavus was 1-for-6 on the power play, while St. Thomas was 1-for-3. St. Thomas had a good night on the draw, winning 37-of-57 faceoffs in the game.
The Gustavus men’s hockey team will travel to Hancock, Mich. to take on Finlandia University on Friday Dec. 10 and Saturday Dec. 11. Face off is set for 6:15 on Friday night and 2:05 on Saturday afternoon.