Five-Goal Lead Guides Men’s Hockey To First Win Over St. Thomas Since 2015

BOX SCORE

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s hockey team scored twice in the first period and three times in the second period to hold on for a 5-2 victory at the University of St. Thomas Friday evening, earning its first win over the Tommies dating back to Feb. 14, 2015.

The Gusties, winless in its past five games, find their way back into the win column to improve to 7-6-3 overall and 6-1 during Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.

Being swept by St. Thomas the past two seasons, the win snaps a four-game losing streak against UST to mark the first win since a 3-1 Gustie victory in Mendota Heights during the 2014-15 season.

The Black and Gold took advantage on the power play, going 3-for-4 on the man advantage while four different goal scorers gave the visitors a 5-2 lead heading into the final frame.

Evan Erickson (Jr., Woodbury, Minn.) scored his team-leading sixth goal of the season, on the power play at 15:28 of the first period. Caleb Anderson (Fy., Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Colin Hernon (Sr., Bloomington, Minn.) assisted on first goal. With just over 30 seconds remaining in the period, Tyler Rock (Fy., Savage, Minn.) gave the Gusties a two-goal cushion heading into the second period, his third tally of the year.

Gustavus opened the second period with another two power play goals at the 3:02 and 8:27 minute marks as Jake McCann (Sr., Shoreview, Minn.) posted the game-winner and Hernon added to the Gustie lead.

Rock scored his second goal of the game with help from Axel Hallin (So., Hovas, Sweden) and Logan Norman (Fy., Luverne, Minn.) soon after the Hernon goal to allow Gustavus to tie a season-high five goal scoring onslaught, his first career two-goal performance.

The Gusties outshot the Tommies 23-19 through the first two periods, taking the 5-2 lead into the third. UST fired back soon after the fifth goal and added another minutes later.

St. Thomas then held an 11-6 shot advantage in the final 20 minutes, but came up short. Chris Amsden (Jr., St. Peter, Minn.) notched 28 saves in goal for the win, improving his record to 5-4-1. The Gusties’ top line of Anderson-Erickson-Hernon each finished with two points.

Gustavus returns to Don Roberts Ice Rink tomorrow in search of the series sweep. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m.