Men’s Hockey Begins MIAC Schedule This Weekend Against St. Thomas

The Gustavus Adolphus men’s hockey team begins its Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schedule this week as it takes on the University of St. Thomas in an away-home series on Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (7:05 p.m.). The Gusties enter this weekend’s series with a 1-1-2 overall record, while the Tommies enter with an identical 1-1-2…

ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus Adolphus men’s hockey team begins its Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schedule this week as it takes on the University of St. Thomas in an away-home series on Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (7:05 p.m.). The Gusties enter this weekend’s series with a 1-1-2 overall record, while the Tommies enter with an identical 1-1-2 overall record.

Here are important links to follow this weekend’s action:

FRIDAY: LIVE STATS | WATCH LIVE

SATURDAY: LIVE STATS | WATCH LIVE

SCOUTING THE GUSTIES

ROSTER | SCHEDULE | STATS | GAME NOTES

The Gustavus men’s hockey team enters this weekend’s series with an overall record of 1-1-2. Last week, the Gusties lost 5-1 at No. 2-ranked UW-Stevens Point on Friday and then skated to a scoreless tie at UW-Stout on Saturday.

In the loss to the Pointers, Nick Sheak (So., Woodbury, Minn.) found Mike Fabie (So., St. Paul, Minn.) for a goal off a turnover with 1:40 remaining in the first period. The goal by Fabie and assist from Sheak were the first of their careers. The Gusties trailed the Pointers 2-1 after the first 20 minutes, but UW-Stevens Point scored three unanswered goals in the remainder of the game. Erik Johnson (Jr., Sauk Rapids, Minn.) suffered the loss in net in his second start of the season, making 17 saves.

In the 0-0 tie at UW-Stout last Saturday, Gustavus registered five shots in the first period, 11 in the second, seven in the third and seven more in the overtime period for a total of 30 shots, but could not find the back of the net. UW-Stout fired 32 shots throughout the night, but Gustie goalie Chris Amsden (Fy., St. Peter, Minn.) stopped every one of them to earn his first collegiate shutout.

The Gusties were on the power play five times, while the Blue Devils had three opportunities with the man advantage. Faceoffs were nearly equal at 32-31 in favor of UW-Stout.

Four games into the season, Tim Donohue (So., Bloomington, Minn.) leads the Gusties with two goals, while Drew Aspinwall (Jr., Maple Grove, Minn.) leads in assists with three. Amsden is the top goalie with a 1.24 goals against average and a .951 save percentage.

SCOUTING THE TOMMIES

ROSTER | SCHEDULE | STATS | GAME NOTES

The St. Thomas men’s hockey team enters this weekend’s series with an overall record of 1-1-2. Last week, the Tommies lost 3-2 at UW-River Falls on Friday and then tied UW-Superior 1-1 on Saturday.

In the loss at River Falls, Jimmy Kortum gave the Tommies a 1-0 lead midway through the first period on an assist from Brian Le Blanc and Cullen Willox. The Falcons then scored two unanswered goals – one in the second and one early in the third – to take a 2-1 advantage. UST netted the equalizer at the 5:55 mark in the third on a goal from Chris Benson, assisted by Michael Dockry and Joakim Broberg, and the game went into overtime. With just 1:13 left in the overtime period, River Falls scored the game winner. Joe Morris made 33 saves in 61:13 between the pipes.

In the 1-1 tie against Superior, Benson scored the lone goal for the Tommies on an assist from John Kirtland and Nick Nielsen. Morris made 20 saves in 65 minutes.

After four games this season, Benson and Thomas Williams lead the Tommie offense with three goals apiece. Dockry and Jordan Lovick have the most assists with three each. Morris has played all four games in net and has a 2.39 goals against average and a .913 save percentage.

The Tommies now have the opportunity to show their potential in the MIAC as they were picked No. 1 in the preseason coaches’ poll.