SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s hockey team Friday night lost to No. 15 St. Scholastica 3-1 in non-conference action, dropping to 4-6-1 overall. Despite not getting the win on the ice, Gustavus earned a victory for its charitable efforts by hosting the annual Teddy Bear Toss Game, which collected hundreds of new stuffed animals with donations going to the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital.
After a scoreless first period, St. Scholastica took a 1-0 lead 5:09 into the second and held that advantage after 40 minutes of play, despite the Gusties outshooting the visitors 28-21.
The Saints gained a two-goal advantage 3:30 into the third period, which proved to be the game-winner. Less than a minute later, Gustavus went on the power play for the first time and scored 23 seconds into the man advantage as Mason Etter (So., Grafton, Wis.) knocked in his first goal of the season, assisted by Brenden Payne (Fy., Plainfield, Ill.) and Caleb Anderson (So., Sioux Falls, S.D.).
With time winding down, Gustavus pulled goalie Robbie Goor (So, Anoka, Minn.) for an extra attacker and the Saints netted an empty-netter with 45 seconds on the clock.
Gustavus outshot the Saints 37-29, but Goor suffered the loss after making 26 saves. The Gusties capitalized on their lone power play of the night and killed off St. Scholastica’s solo skater advantage.
Gustavus has nearly three weeks off until it hosts Aurora for a two-game home series Dec. 28 and 29.