Blaine, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s hockey team used a three goal third period to cruise to a 5-1 victory over Concordia College in its final game of the MIAC Showcase on Saturday night at Fogerty Arena. Gustavus improves to 2-0-0 on the year after picking up two wins this weekend, while Concordia is 0-1-0 after its season-opener.
The Gusties wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in their second game of the weekend. Just 1:34 into the game, Jack Walsh (So., Mahtomedi, Minn.) gave Gustavus a 1-0 lead after scoring on assists from Henrik Reisvang (Sr., Nesbru, Norway) and Andy Pearson (So., Burnsville, Minn.).
Less than two minutes after Walsh’s goal, Ryan Johnson (Sr., Blaine, Minn.) extended Gustavus’ lead to 2-0 after burying a feed from Blake Schammel (So., Red Wing, Minn.) at the 3:21 mark. Johnson’s goal turned out to be the game-winner.
Despite being outshot 28-18 through the first two periods, Concordia cut the lead to 2-1 on a Dmitry Adams goal at 11:49 of the second.
Gustavus went to work on the power play in the final frame, going 2-for-3 on the man advantage in it’s three goal third period. Zach May (So., Prior Lake, Minn.) kicked off the scoring spree with Gustavus’ third power play goal of the weekend at the 1:59 mark of the period to extend Gustavus’ lead to 3-1. May was assisted by Gustav Bengtson (Jr., Stockholm, Sweden) and Pearson on the goal.
The Gusties continued to pour it on less than five minutes later when Bengtson scored on an Alex Gallen (Jr., Hingham, Mass.) assist in the fifth minute of the period. Bengtson capped the night’s scoring with his second goal, this time on the power play, at the 9:46 point to bring the score to a final at 5-1. Pearson hooked up Bengtson with the assist for his third dime of the evening.
Gustavus finished 2-for-5 on the power play and outshot Concordia 40-to-29 in the game. The Gustie penalty turned in its second shutout of the season, stopping the Cobbers on their four power play tries.
Tyler Venne (Sr., New Hope, Minn.) earned the victory in nets after stopping 28 of Concordia’s 29 shots. Chris Neamonitis suffered the loss for Concordia in a 35-save effort.
The Gusties will be back on the ice next weekend when it hosts UW-Stevens Point on Friday at 7:05 p.m. and St. Norbert on Saturday at 7:05 p.m.