DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's hockey began their two-game home MIAC series with Saint Mary's University on Friday at Mars Lakeview Arena in Duluth.

How it Happened
The first period would bring lots of action between these two competitive teams. 3:42 into the contest, Filimon Ledenkov (Polotsk, Belarus/Ostroshitsko-Gorodokskaya (New York Aviators-USPHL)) would strike first for his 7th goal of the season. Alec Severson (Roseau, Minn./Roseau HS (Thief River Falls-SIJHL)) would have the assist. A few minutes later the Cardinals would tie the game up with a goal of their own. 

SMU started to pick things up offensively as they would score two more in the span of four minutes. The Saints would tighten things back up with just under two minutes remaining. Bryce Johnson (Roseau, Minn./Roseau HS (Thief River Falls-SIJHL)) would have his shot blocked by a defender, the puck would land near Filimon, who zipped it across to Carsen Richels (Ham Lake, Minn./Blaine HS(University of New Hampshire)) and he buried it for his 13th on the year. As the period came to an end, SMU held on to the 3-2 lead.

The second period would once again bring goals for the Saints and Cardinals. This time it was Saint Mary's who would answer first with a rebound, increasing their lead by two scores. Fifty ticks later, Severson would get involved again as he scored an unassisted goal for CSS. 

A few minutes would play on, Nathan Adrian (Roseau, Minn./Roseau HS (Minnesota Wilderness-NAHL)) would handle the puck in the zone and from behind the net, he would then power his way to the right side and sneak a quick shot in front of a few defenders and the opposing netminder, tying this game up at four a piece halfway through the second. With ive and a half left, Saint Mary's would regain the 5-4 lead with another goal. 

To start the third, the Cardinals would score a minute and fifty seconds in, now having the 6-4 advantage. At 16:44 it would be 4-on-4, but neither team would add to their totals. Halfway through the period, CSS would once again go on a power-play, and a handful of shots would all be blocked or saved by the Cardinals. 

As the minutes flew by, the Saints wouldn't be able to get anything going. Eventually, CSS would pull their goaltender trying for any miracles, but ended up allowing Saint Mary's to score on an empty net with ten seconds remaining, SMU would take the first game of the series, 7-4.

Goaltending
Jack Bostedt (Janesville, Wis./Janesville Craig HS (Minnesota Mullets-USPHL)) had 26 saves tonight for his unit. For the Cardinals, A.J. Ruskowski recorded 21 saves.

Up Next
The Saints unfortunately ended their win streak tonight at six victories in front of a rowdy and passionate home crowd, but they'll have a chance for redemption as they'll see the Cardinals tomorrow afternoon at Mars Lakeview Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m.