Gusties celebrate Couture's goal (Photo courtesy of Jake Noel, Gustavus Sports Information)
ST. PETER, Minn. – Colton Schmidt’s (So., Eden Prairie, Minn.) game-winner at 16:37 of the third period lifted the Gustavus men’s hockey team to a 2-1 victory over Concordia College Thursday evening during a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Playoff Quarterfinal matchup at Don Roberts Ice Rink.
The win stands as the first Gustavus postseason tournament victory since the 2013-14 season, improving the Gusties’ overall record to 11-12-3 on the season.
Kegan Couture (So., Pequot Lakes, Minn.) opened the scoring 8:59 into the game, ripping home his first goal in Black and Gold off a rush, assisted by JP Eykyn (Fy., Waseca, Minn.) and Axel Hallin (So., Hovas, Sweden) to give the No. 4 seeded Gusties a 1-0 lead, in which they held until the back end of the third period.
The Gusties tallied a season-high 47 shots on net, peppering Cobber netminder Jacob Stephan and gaining a 35-21 shot advantage through 40 minutes – most of which came during the second period as Gustavus went scoreless on three power play opportunities.
Concordia knotted the game at one apiece 12:13 into the final frame, as the Cobbers forced a turnover and Beau Wilmer used the Gustie defender as a screen to find the top corner past Chris Amsden (Jr., St. Peter, Minn.).
Despite the visitors being energized after the game-tying goal, Gustavus answered quickly just four minutes later to give the home team a 2-1 lead. Schmidt collected the puck from the corner and a centering shot redirected past Stephan for the game-winner and his fifth of the season.
The Cobbers followed the Gustavus go-ahead goal with an unfortunate penalty just a minute later, allowing for two minutes of offensive zone time for the Gusties and only a 32 second period of even-strength time for Concordia to try to tie the game. Gustavus was unsuccessful during its fourth power play opportunity but was able to subdue the Cobbers’ attempt to comeback with the extra attacker.
Amsden notched 25 saves in net for the Gusties, earning his third consecutive win and improving his record to 8-7-1.
Gustavus advances to the MIAC Playoff Semifinals Saturday evening in Mendota Heights, Minn., set to take on No. 1 seed University of St. Thomas.
Go Gusties! You can do it!