SAINT PETER, Minn. - The Gustavus men's hockey team picked up two crucial points in the MIAC standings Saturday after a 3-3 tie and shootout victory over St. Scholastica. The Gusties move to 13-8-2 overall and 9-3-2 in the MIAC with 31 points, which is five points clear of second place Bethel. Gustavus can secure the MIAC regular season championship next weekend with a win over Hamline or a Bethel loss against St. Olaf.
Kyle Heffron got the scoring started 7:04 into the first period with his first goal of the season, assisted by
Mason Hendrickson and
Nick Mohs-Messerli. Less than two minutes later,
Jack Wineman put the Gusties up 2-0 with the help of
Jack Suchy, and the home team maintained a two-goal lead at the first break.
Nearly five minutes into the second period, Wineman tallied his second goal of the game and sixth of the season, with the assists going to
Hunter Newhouse and
Landon Johnson. The 3-0 lead held until the 3:42 mark of the third when St. Scholastica ended the shutout and started its comeback bid. The Saints then scored at the 9:33 mark and netted the equalizer on a power play at 12:04, sending the game to overtime.
The Gusties had a few good scoring opportunities in the three-on-three overtime, but couldn't score and the game was sent to a shootout.
Drew Holt made the first attempt for the Gusties, while
Colin Androlewicz stopped the first two attempts by the Saints. The visitors snuck one past Androlewicz on their third try, but Wineman found the back of the net for the third time in the game to secure the shootout victory.
St. Scholastica had more shots on goal, 26-21, as Androlewicz made 23 saves. The Gusties dominated in the circle, winning 47-of-73 faceoffs.
Gustavus faces Hamline in its final MIAC series of the season next weekend, starting on the road Friday night in Saint Paul.
