ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s hockey team kept it close with Saint Mary’s for 57 minutes on Friday night at Don Roberts Ice Rink, but a pair of late-game goals gave the Cardinals a 4-1 victory. The loss drops the Gusties to 4-12-4 overall and 3-6-2 in the MIAC, while the Cardinals improve to 9-11-2 overall and 6-6-1 in the league.
After a scoreless first period that saw 10 shots on goal by Gustavus and nine by Saint Mary’s, the Cardinals were able to light the lamp at the 7:25 mark in the second to take a 1-0 lead. Saint Mary’s won the ensuing faceoff and took the puck right to the net for another goal six seconds later. The Cardinals were flying high with all the momentum until the Gusties broke the shutout at the 15:37 mark on Colin Hernon’s (So., Bloomington, Minn.) team-leading seventh goal of the season. Hernon made a nice move going left to right for the score, assisted by Van Sullivan (Fy., Brentwood, Tenn.) and Joe Lindberg (Jr., Excelsior, Minn.). After 40 minutes of play, Saint Mary’s led 2-1.
The two squads skated back and forth for a majority of the third period, but Saint Mary’s was able to sneak one past Gustie goalie Erik Johnson (Jr., Sauk Rapids, Minn.) with just 1:36 remaining in regulation. The goal came after an interception as the Gusties were trying to clear the zone. With Johnson pulled out of the goal, the Cardinals were able to break free and score an empty-netter with 28 seconds left for a 4-1 final.
Johnson suffered the loss after recording 32 saves, while his counterpart, Jake Tugnutt, made 32 saves as well. Gustavus did well on the dots, winning 38-of-66 faceoffs. Sullivan was key on the draw, going 13-for-16.
Gustavus and Saint Mary’s wrap up the two-game series at 7 p.m. tomorrow in Winona, Minn.