The Gusties celebrate Joe Lindberg's goal in the first period. (photo courtesy of Wayne Norman, SPX Sports)
ST. PETER, Minn. – For the second time this season, the Gustavus men’s hockey team skated to an overtime tie with a team ranked inside the national top-10 as the Gusties and No. 7 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds finished in a 2-2 draw Saturday night at Don Roberts Ice Rink. The tie moves the Gusties to 1-8-3 overall, while the Blugolds move to 9-1-3.
Joe Lindberg (Sr., Excelsior, Minn.) gave the Gusties and early lead at the 12:49 mark of the first period as a result of an odd-man rush. Lindberg’s first goal in Black and Gold was assisted by Nick Sheak (Jr., Woodbury, Minn.) and Tim Donohue (Jr., Bloomington, Minn.). At the end of the first period Gustavus led 1-0 and outshot the Blugolds 11-5.
UW-Eau Clarie netted the equalizer at the 13:46 mark in the second period, but the Gusties had an answer four minutes later on a power play. Drew Aspinwall (Sr., Maple Grove, Minn.) fired home his third goal of the season on a slap-shot from the point, giving the Gusties a 2-1 advantage, which they carried into the third period.
The Blugolds were able to knot the score once again with less than four minutes remaining in the game and the two squads skated to an extra period. UW-Eau Claire outshot the Gusties 3-0 in the overtime, but was unable to find the back of the net.
Gustavus outshot UW-Eau Claire 29-27. The Gusties were 1-3 on the man-advantage, while the Blugolds went 0-3. Chris Amsden (So., St. Peter, Minn.) made 25 saves to move his record to 0-3-3.
Gustavus now has a four-week break and returns to the ice Jan. 7 at home against UW-Stout.