Isaak Tjaden made his first start between the pipes this season.
DULUTH, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s hockey team fell short against No. 15-ranked St. Scholastica on Friday night, losing 4-1 to drop to 3-6-2 overall on the season.
St. Scholastica opened the scoring with a goal 3:20 into the game. Just over the halfway point of the first period, Alex Koopmeiners (Jr., St. Cloud, Minn.) scored the equalizer all alone. The goal by Koopmeiners was his second of the season and second in as many games. After the first 20 minutes of play, the Gusties and Saints were tied 1-1 with St. Scholastica out-shooting Gustavus 14-7.
The Saints broke the game open in the second period with a pair of goals – the first at the 7:53 mark and the second at the 11:18 mark – and led 3-1 at the second intermission. St. Scholastica scored an insurance goal in the third and limited the Gusties to just five shots in the final 20 minutes for a three-goal victory.
The Saints outshot the Gusties 31-20 throughout the contest and won the faceoff battle 37-27. Gustavus went 0-4 on the power play, while St. Scholastica went 0-3 on the man-advantage. In his first appearance between the pipes this season and second career start, Isaak Tjaden (So., Northfield, Minn.) suffered the loss after making 27 saves.
Gustavus will now enjoy a four-week break and return to action Jan. 8 at UW-Eau Claire.