Special teams played a key role in the Gustavus men’s hockey team’s 6-4 win over UW-River Falls on Saturday at All Seasons Arena in Mankato. The Gusties scored three power play goals and one short-handed goal as Head Coach Brett Petersen’s team improved to 3-1-0 overall this season. The Falcons remained winless at 0-3-1 this season.
Mitch Carlson (So., St. Louis Park, Minn.) began the scoring by posting a power play goal at 4:34 in the first period with Ross Ring-Jarvi (Fy., Anoka, Minn.) being credited with the assist. Gustavus added to its lead at the 14:20 mark when David Martinson (Jr., St. Louis Park, Minn.) received a pass from Matt Schugel (So., Roseville, Minn.) and Brad Wieck (So., Shoreview, Minn.) through the crease and put the puck in the empty net.
UW-River Falls got on the board 40 seconds later when Jordan McIntyre got a shot past Gustie goaltender Matt Lopes (Sr., East Falmouth, Mass.). However, Gustavus would push the lead back to two goals at 3-1 when Spencer Campion (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.) scored the second power play goal of the game at 18:14 in the first period. Wieck and Carlson were given assists on the play.
After the high scoring first period, the Falcons cut the margin to one goal when Derek Hansberry scored a power play goal nine seconds into a two-skater advantage for UW-River Falls midway through the second period. The score would remain at 3-2 heading into the locker room with one period remaining.
The Falcons had a power play opportunity early in the third period for a chance to tie the score after a Gustie interference penalty. However, aggressive forechecking by Rory Dynan (Maple Plain, Minn.) resulted in a short-handed goal for the junior to push the lead to 4-2 with 18:03 left in the game. Twice UW-River Falls cut the margin to one goal, but each time Gustavus answered with a score of its own. Brad Wieck tallied the eventual game-winner and his first goal of the season at 6:52 in the period. Dennis Webster (Fy., Minneapolis, Minn.) added an insurance power play goal later in the period as the Gusties hung on for the win.
Matt Lopes improved his record to 2-0-0 by making 26 saves and allowing five goals. Falcon goaltender Bo Storozuk made 25 stops in the losing effort as Gustavus has scored at least five goals in each of its first four games this season.
Gustavus opens MIAC competition next weekend with a series against Saint Mary’s beginning on Friday night in Winona at 7:05 p.m.