SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s hockey team hosted Northland Friday night and used three third period goals to take a 5-2 victory. With the win the Gusties improve to 7-6-1 overall, while the Lumberjacks fall to 4-12-1.
The Gusties were able to start the scoring early with J.P. Eykyn (Jr., Waseca) finding the back of the net in the first two minutes of the game, unassisted. Shortly after, Reid Brown (Sr., Superior, Colo.) secured the two-goal lead with his first of the season assisted by Will LeNeave (Jr., Medina) and Toby Sengvongxay (So., Luverne). However, the Lumberjacks were able to keep the pressure on, scoring twice in the final five minutes of the first to even things at two after 20 minutes of play.
“I am really pleased with how we started and finished tonight.” said Head Coach Brett Petersen. “The middle part of the game was clearly not our best due to a great response from Northland. But we adjusted nicely after the second period and played well the last 20 minutes.”
The Gusties started the second period on the penalty kill and were able to kill off all three of their penalties in the middle frame. Both goalies posted a shutout in the second with Robbie Goor (Jr., Anoka) making 15 saves while the Lumberjack net minder made nine saves, keeping the score at 2-2 heading into the final period.
After a slow start to the third frame, Connor Clemons (So., Savage) was able to score what turned out to be the eventual game-winner at the 8:32 mark with assists going to Caleb Anderson (Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Logan Norman (Jr., Luverne). The Gusties added to their lead just two minutes later when Benji Mickel (Fy., Durango, Colo.) scored his first career goal, assisted by Casey Rock (Sr., Savage) and Dylan Gast (So., Dellwood). Gustavus would add one more goal late in the third when Anderson found Nick Klishko (Jr., San Diego, Calif.) for an empty net goal to seal the 5-2 victory.
Goor got the victory in net making 28 saves while allowing 2 goals.
Gustavus will be back in action tomorrow night when they host No. 11 UW-Superior for a 7:05 contest.