ST. PETER, Minn. – With Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference playoff hopes on the line, the Gustavus men’s hockey came through with a solid 60-minute effort to take down No. 14-ranked and first place Saint John’s University 2-1 Friday evening during senior night at Don Roberts Ice Rink.
The Gusties, now 10-11-3 overall and 9-6 within the MIAC, move within three points of the Johnnies (15-7-2, 10-5 MIAC) in the conference standings and clinch a spot in the conference playoffs, ending a three-year conference postseason drought.
Fitting on senior night, JT Walters (Sr., Escondido, Calif.) recorded the game-winning goal, his first in Black and Gold, at 16:53 on the second period. His tally gave the Gusties a 2-0 lead heading into the final frame.
Gustavus pushed the pace throughout the first 40 minutes, claiming a 26-10 shot on goal advantage over the Johnnies, including a 17-5 mark in the first period.
Van Sullivan (Jr., Brentwood, Tenn.) put the home team on the board just past the midway point of the first period, finishing a backhand off a rush for his sixth of the season. Nick Sheak (Sr., Woodbury, Minn.) and Walters were credited with assists.
The Johnnies added an empty net goal to cut the Gustie lead to 2-1 with just 14 seconds remaining, but it was too little too late.
The Gusties went 0-1 on the power play and were successful killing off two Saint John’s power play opportunities. Chris Amsden (Jr., St. Peter, Minn.) improved his record to 7-7-1 on the season, notching 20 saves in net.
Tomorrow evening, Gustavus closes out its regular season schedule, looking for the sweep in St. Cloud, Minn. at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. Puck drop between the Gusties and Johnnies is set for 7 p.m.