BLAINE, Minn. – A four-goal second period and a 29-save shutout performance from goaltender Chris Amsden (Jr., St. Peter, Minn.) propelled the Gustavus men’s hockey team to a 4-0 victory over Bethel University Saturday evening, completing the series sweep.
The Gusties, now 6-3-1 overall and 5-1 during Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play, have recorded two consecutive series sweeps and have surpassed their win total from last season. The last time Gustavus strung together two-straight series sweeps was during the 2013-14 season, while the back-to-back shutouts is the first time since 2008.
Both teams were scoreless after the first period, each failing to convert on a power play opportunity while the shots were even at 13-13.
The flood gates opened in the second period for the Black and Gold. Van Sullivan (Jr., Brentwood, Tenn.) got the scoring started just over five minutes into the period with help from Jared Bromberg (Jr., Rochester, Minn.), his second goal of the season and first game-winner.
Logan Norman (Fy., Luverne, Minn.) then picked up his third and fourth goals of the season, his first two-goal game of his young career. His first came on the power play at 7:21 prior to tallying another at the 9:16 mark.
Evan Erickson (Jr., Woodbury, Minn.) recorded his team-leading fifth of the season near the end of the period to give Gustavus a 4-0 cushion. The Gusties out-shot the Royals 16-9 in the middle frame and held on in the third for win.
Amsden, now 4-2 on the season, notched his second-straight, and fourth career shutout. Gustavus held a 37-29 shot advantage over Bethel and were successful on three penalty kills while going 1-for-3 on the man advantage.
The Black and Gold returns to action next Friday, heading north to Duluth, Minn. for a non-conference game at the College of St. Scholastica.