SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus Adolphus College men's hockey team battled the Saint Mary's University Cardinals at home on Saturday night in the MIAC Playoff Semifinals. After falling behind 1-0 early, the Gusties scored six unanswered to take down the Cardinals 6-1 to punch their ticket to the conference postseason title game.
Saint Mary's jumped out to a 1-0 lead nine minutes into the opening period with a goal by Carter Newpower. The Gusties responded with 1:04 remaining in the first frame as
Drew Holt scored an equalizer to tie the game at 1-1, assisted by
Jackson McCarthy.
Gustavus took the lead in the second half as
Grant Ellings scored what would end up being the game-winning goal. Holt assisted Ellings on the score.
Leading 2-1 entering the third, the Gusties went on to score four goals in the final period.
Riku Brown scored just 18 seconds into the frame to double Gustavus' lead, assisted by
Nate Stone and
Jack Wineman.
Brown scored again six minutes later to put the Gusties up 4-1 with Holt notching another assist.
Ellings scored his second of the game less than a minute after Brown's second goal to put Gustavus up 5-1 with 12 and a half minutes to go, with
Wilmer Svensson and Holt assisting.
Jack Wineman added one more Gustie goal for good measure in the final four minutes.
Nate Stone and
Charlie Sandven had the assists on the final Gustavus goal as the Gusties secured the 6-1 win.
Marko Belak saved 17 shots on goal to earn the win for Gustavus.
Holt led the Gusties with four points in the win with a goal and three assists.
Up next for Gustavus is the MIAC Playoff Championship on Saturday, March 7. Gustavus will head up to St. Cloud to take on the Saint John's University Johnnies on Saturday, March 7 at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. The time of the championship game is currently yet to be determined.
