The Gustavus men’s hockey team defeated UW-Superior 2-0 in a NCAA Quarterfinal game in Superior, Wis. on Saturday night. The Gusties will now advance to the NCAA Frozen Four in Lake Placid, New York next Friday and Saturday, March 20-21. Ross-Ring Jarvi gave Gustavus a 1-0 lead when he scored off a rebound of a David Martinson shot at 18:47 of the second period. Martinson scored the Gusties second goal when he shot into an empty net with :04 left in the game. Senior Matt Lopes turned in a brilliant performance in the nets making 33 saves and handing UW-Superior 23-4-3 its first shutout loss of the season. The Gusties, who are now 18-10-0, will be playing in the Division III Frozen Four for the first time since 1982.
The Gustie offense struggled to get into a rhythm in the first period, while UW-Superior had several quality scoring opportunities. Gustavus goaltender Matt Lopes kept the Yellowjackets off of the scoreboard by recording 11 saves in the period, while UW-Superior’s Chad Beiswenger made seven stops.
Patrick Dynan had the best scoring chance for the Gusties early in the second period when he took a slapshot from the top of the left circle that careened off the left post. Later in the period, Cody Mosbeck took a blast from the right point that was nearly deflected in by Casey Dynan. After Brad Wieck won a faceoff in the UW-Superior end, David Martinson took a shot in the slot. Beiswenger made the initial save, but Ross Ring-Jarvi was there to put the rebound in upper left hand corner of the net to break the scoreless tie at the 18:47 mark of the second period. Gustavus led 1-0 after two periods.
The Yellowjackets turned up the intensity in the final period and peppered Gustavus goaltender Matt Lopes with 12 shots, but Lopes turned each shot away. With 2:15 left in regulation, the Gusties Eric Bigham was assessed a two minute penalty for obstruction. It was a tough time to give UW-Superior an advantage, but the penalty also allowed Gustavus to clear the puck the full length of the ice without stopping the clock. The Yellowjackets did manage five quality shots on net, but Lopes had an answer each time. UW-Superior pulled its goaltender in the final seconds and Gustavus’ David Martinson was able to pick up a loose puck and skate in on the empty net and score with :04 remaining to clinch the momentous win for the Gusties.
Goaltender Matt Lopes turned in the performance of his career as he made 33 saves to shut down a potent Yellowjacket offense. Lopes made 12 of his 33 stops in the third period.
Gustavus will face UW-Stout, which defeated St. Scholastica 2-1 in the other West Region Quarterfinal game, on Friday, March 20 in Lake Placid, New York at 3 pm (CDT) in the semifinal round of the NCAA Tournament.