SAINT PETER, Minn. – The No. 14 nationally ranked Gustavus Adolphus College men's hockey team returned to Don Roberts Ice Rink on Saturday afternoon for its second consecutive matchup against the University of Dubuque Spartans. Despite a strong defensive performance and several offensive opportunities, the Gusties fell 1-0 after allowing a shorthanded goal in the second period. With the loss, Gustavus drops to 2-2 overall.
The Gusties opened the contest with a strong defensive effort, successfully killing off an early power play while generating several scoring opportunities of their own. Seven different Gusties each put shots on goal in the opening period as Gustavus outshot Dubuque 7-5. The Gusties also earned a power-play opportunity midway through the frame but were unable to capitalize as the teams entered the first intermission tied 0-0.
Gustavus continued to generate offensive chances in the second period, earning a power play just over 10 minutes into the frame. However, the Gusties surrendered a shorthanded goal at the 11:59 mark to fall behind 1-0. Gustavus responded with another power-play opportunity late in the period, putting four shots on goal during the man advantage, but was unable to find the equalizer before the second intermission.
The Gusties nearly tied the game early in the third period as
Murray Marvin-Cordes fired a shot off the post just 1:28 into the frame.
Grant Ellings,
Sam Rice,
Ludvig Mellgren, and
Garrett Joss followed with shots on goal in the period, but Gustavus was unable to break through. The Gusties successfully killed off two third-period penalties, including one in the final two minutes, but could not overcome the one-goal deficit.
Gustavus goaltender
Colin Androlewicz delivered a strong performance in his first start of the season, making 23 saves on 24 shots.
Ty James and
Hunter Newhouse led the Gusties with four shots on goal apiece, while Rice and Mellgren each added three. Gustavus finished with 23 shots on goal and held a 21-20 advantage in faceoffs, led by
Emil Samuelsson with 11 wins. The Gusties went 0-for-3 on the power play while successfully killing off all three Dubuque opportunities.
Up next for Gustavus is their MIAC opening series against Hamline, beginning with a road game in St. Paul on Friday, November 20 at 7:00 p.m. before returning home for a 5:00 p.m. game on Saturday, November 21.
