SAINT PETER, Minn. - Marko Belak and the defense of the Gustavus men's hockey team held Saint John's scoreless on Saturday night, while a trio of late goals secured a 3-0 win. The Gusties pick up their first win against the Johnnies since 2015, improving to 13-7-1 overall and 9-2-1 in the MIAC. The Gusties' 29 points in the conference standings are eight clear of second place Bethel with four games remaining in the season. 

The first period was evenly matched with the Gusties edging the Johnnies 10-8 in shots, but the score remained scoreless after 20 minutes. It was more of the same in the second stanza with no goals from either team, but the Gusties picked up the pressure, out-shooting the visitors 14-10. 

The silence was finally broken at the 8:31 mark of the third as Joey Gimberlin scored from the slot, his fourth of the season, assisted by Wilmer Svensson and Jackson McCarthy. The goal proved to be the game-winner. With 3:15 left in the game, Gimberlin lofted the puck out of the zone and connected with Drew Holt speeding down the ice, who buried his sixth goal of the season. And with under two minutes left in regulation, Nate Stone found the empty net to seal the victory. 

Belak earned the shutout victory, his third shutout this season, after stopping all 25 shots faced. The Gusties out-shot the Johnnies 31-25. Penalties were limited as the Johnnies went 0-for-1 and the Gusties 0-for-2. 

Gustavus starts its home-and-home series with St. Scholastica on Friday night in Duluth. 
  Read Full Article