Game One (Friday, November 7th):
DULUTH, Minn — The St. Scholastica men's hockey team hosted the Johnnies of Saint John's University for their first MIAC matchup of the 2025-26 season on Friday evening. Despite a goal from Braden Panzer (Grand Forks, ND/Grand Forks Central HS), the Saints could not contain the Johnnies' offense, falling 7-1 in the series opener at Mars Lakeview Arena.
The first goal for the Johnnies came at the 1:23 mark on a power play created by a Saints' penalty 52 seconds into the game. SJU tacked on three more goals within the next four minutes of play, building a 4-0 lead with 14:25 left in the first period.
The Saints earned their first power play opportunity midway through the first period, as Panzer prevented the shutout with his third goal of the season at the 12:44 mark, assisted by
Gavin Gunderson (Roseau, MN/Roseau HS) and
Andrew Cumming (St. Cloud, MN/St. Cloud HS).
The Johnnies responded just minutes later to extend their lead back to four goals with just over three minutes remaining in the opening frame. After a scoreless second period, despite two Saints power play chances, SJU added two more goals in the third to close out a 7-1 victory.
Hunter Hanson (Blaine, MN/Blaine HS) led the Saints with five shots on goal, while goaltender
Eino Rissanen (Sonvillier, Switzerland/Lycée Blaise-Cendrars) recorded 49 saves, ending with a .875 save percentage.
Game Two (Saturday, November 8th):
ST. CLOUD, Minn — In game two of the weekend series, the Saints looked to even things up. SJU managed four goals in regulation, but the Saints battled back throughout the contest, including two goals in the final two minutes to force overtime. Neither team scored in the extra minutes, and Saint John's took the shootout, 1-0, earning the extra MIAC point at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center on Saturday night.
SJU struck first, scoring at the 4:04 mark of the first period. Despite each team having two power play chances in the first period, neither team was able to capitalize.
Saints defender
Matej Palfy (Kosice, Slovakia/Gymnasium Trebisovska) scored his first goal of the season at the 5:46 mark of the second period, assisted by
Declan Young (Fergus Falls, MN/Kennedy Secondary School) and
Riley Girod (Calvet, SK, Canada/). The Johnnies regained the lead with a power play goal minutes later, taking a 2-1 advantage into the third.
The final frame saw five combined goals. SJU struck first to extend their lead, but
Jared Scott (Kenosha, WI/Christian Life School) answered for the Saints, assisted by
Luke McCarthy (Cottage Grove, MN/Park HS).
With under two minutes remaining in regulation, the Saints pulled their goaltender for an extra skater. They cut the lead to one goal with a rebound tally from Panzer, assisted by Gunderson and Scott. The Saints maintained the pressure, and in clutch fashion, Gunderson netted the tying goal with just 12 seconds remaining in regulation, with assists from Cumming and
Kieran Chung (Nottingham, Great Britain/).
Neither team found the back of the net during overtime, and the Johnnies edged the Saints in the shootout, 1-0.
Wyatt Wurst (Edina, MN/Edina HS) led the Saints in both shots and blocked shots with five apiece, while Rissanen made 33 saves, finishing the night with a .892 save percentage.
Up Next:
The Saints (1-2-1, 0-1-1) take a break from conference play for a Border Battle hosted by No. 12 University of Wisconsin-Superior. The lone game will take place on Friday, November 14th at Wessman Arena in Superior, Wisconsin. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
