ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s hockey team was unable to take advantage of six power play opportunities Friday night at Don Roberts Ice Rink, losing 3-0 to Saint John’s University. With the loss, the Gusties fall to 2-5-2 overall and 1-4 in the MIAC.
Both teams had a penalty in the first period and the Gusties outshot the Johnnies 6-4, but after 20 minutes it was a scoreless tie.
Saint John’s broke the ice at the 14:09 mark in the second period as a shot by Joe Chitwood was turned away by Gustie goalie Chris Amsden (Fy., St. Peter, Minn.), but Huba Sekesi tipped in the deflection for a 1-0 lead. Gustavus nearly answered moments later as Colin Hernon (So., Bloomington, Minn.) outskated a SJU defender for a one-on-one opportunity, but his shot was saved by Johnnie goalie Saxton Soley.
Saint John’s took a two-goal advantage at the 12:07 mark as a pair of shots by Andrew Commers and Matt Colford were blocked, but Tyler Dunagan found the top-right corner of the net for the goal. After 40 minutes of play, Saint John’s led 2-0. Shots were even in the second period 7-7.
Gustavus started the third period on the power play and had three more man-advantages after that, but was unable to capitalize. With 5:16 remaining in the game a shot by the Johnnies from the blue line was tipped in by Commers for the third score of the game and SJU skated away with a 3-0 victory.
Gustavus outshot Saint John’s 22-17, which is a season-low for shots allowed, and had six power plays compared to two by the Johnnies. SJU won the faceoff battle 34-24.
Gustavus travels to St. Cloud, Minn. tomorrow for a 2 p.m. game to wrap up the season series with Saint John’s.