The Gustavus men’s hockey team suffered a 4-3 loss on the road at Saint Mary’s Friday night in Winona, Minn. After Gustavus took a 2-0 lead in the first intermission, the Cardinals responded with four unanswered goals in the second period to lead 4-2 heading into the third. Gustavus scored within the first minute of the third period, but SMU goaltender Jason Horstman was able to stop 11 shots in the remaining minutes of the game to give Saint Mary’s the win.
Gustavus falls to 13-9-2 overall and 7-6-2 in the MIAC, yet earns a spot in the MIAC Playoffs due to the 4-3 loss by suffered by Saint John’s at the hands of St. Olaf. Saint Mary’s improves to 6-16-2 overall and 5-8-2 in the MIAC with the victory.
Ryan Johnson put the Gusties on the board first with a goal from Zach May and Ross Ring-Jarvi at the 5:02 mark of the first period. Johnson has been on a scoring tear as of late, recording six points (3G, 3A) in Gustavus’ last six games.
Mitch Carlson scored the first Gustavus short-handed goal of the season all alone less than two minutes later at 6:45 to put Gustavus up 2-0. It was also Carlson’s first short-handed goal of his career. The Gusties outshot Saint Mary’s 13-to-9 in the period, yet were 0-for-2 on the power play.
The Cardinal second period scoring-spree began with a goal at the 4:48 point by Nick Nagel that cut the lead to 2-1. Tommy Healy scored just under three minutes later on the power play to tie the game at 2-2. Mike Schaber netted the go-ahead goal at 11:19 to put the Cardinals up 3-2, and Kevin Wentland put home the eventual game-winner at the 18:35 mark to go up 4-2.
Horstman was able to make 17 saves in the second period, as the Gusties outshot Saint Mary’s 17-to-10 in the frame.
Ring-Jarvi’s power play goal, his second of the season, cut the lead to 4-3 just :26 seconds into the third period. Ring-Jarvi is now the team leader in goals (9), assists (14), and points (23). Gustavus had two power play chances to even up the score after the Ring-Jarvi goal, but couldn’t solve Horstman in the remaining 19:34, as the Gusties outshot SMU 14-to-1 in the third.
Gustavus finished the night 1-for-5 on the man advantage, while Saint Mary’s was 1-for-3. Gustavus outshot the Cardinals 44-to-20 in the game.
Josh Swartout suffered the loss in nets, allowing four goals and making 16 saves. Swartout falls to 9-8-2 on the season with the loss. Jason Horstman gets the win in a 44-save effort, improving to 5-12-2.
The Gustavus men’s hockey team will go for the series split with Saint Mary’s on Saturday night in St. Peter. The contest is designated as Senior Night as five Gustavus seniors will be honored at the game. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m.