Duluth, MN - The Saint Scholastica men's hockey team took on the Gusties of Gustavus Adolphus College here at the Mars Lakeview Arena for senior night. The matchup started strong for the Saints, with goals in the first period from senior Nathan Adrian (Roseau, Minn./Roseau HS) and Kieran Chung (Nottingham, Great Britain) to take a 2-0 lead. The Saints put two more on the board in the second period from Jacob Seitz (Mountain Iron, Minn./Virginia HS) and Hunter Hanson (Blaine, Minn./Blaine HS) to secure a memorable 4-2 win over the Gusties on senior night.
How it Happened
1st Period
The Saints came out strong on senior night, setting the tone early in a competitive matchup. Senior Nick Lanigan (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) fired the team's first shot on net, and just minutes later at 4:35, Nathan Adrian (Roseau, Minn./Roseau HS) broke the deadlock to put the Saints ahead. Adrian's goal, assisted by senior Jacob Seitz (Mountain Iron, Minn./Virginia HS) and Tristan Shewchuk (Saskatoon, SK, Canada/St. Joseph HS), gave the team an early edge over the Gusties.
Riding that momentum, the Saints earned a power play shortly after the opening goal. A flurry of shots—two from Shewchuk and one from Adrian—kept the pressure on, but they were unable to convert on the power play advantage.
Midway through the period, the Gusties pushed back, but Saints goaltender Eino Rissanen (Sonvillier, Switzerland/Lycée Blaise-Cendrars) stood tall in net. The Saints then capitalized on their chances once again, doubling their lead at 15:53 when Kieran Chung (Nottingham, Great Britain) found the back of the net off assists from Wyatt Wurst (Edina, MN) and Shewchuk again.
The final minutes of the period saw the Saints shift to a defensive stance as the Gusties pressed for a response. Despite a late surge of shots, the Saints defense held firm, heading into the first intermission with a solid 2-0 advantage.
2nd Period
The Saints had an unfortunate start to the second period, conceding a goal just 14 seconds in after a swift counterattack from the Gusties. Moments later, another fast break put the Saints on their heels, but Rissanen came up with a crucial save to maintain their 2-1 advantage.
The Gusties kept the pressure on, nearly equalizing when a shot rang off the top corner of the post. Just past the halfway mark, they earned a power play opportunity but couldn't find the back of the net.
The Saints capitalized on their chances late in the period, extending their lead at 14:21 when senior Jacob Seitz (Mountain Iron, Minn./Virginia HS) netted his goal, assisted by Adrian and Shewchuk. Less than two minutes later, at 16:03, Hunter Hanson (Blaine, Minn./Blaine HS) added another tally, finishing a play set up by Gavin Gunderson (Roseau, Minn) and Brodie Girod (Clavet, SK, Canada/Clavet HS) to make it 4-1.
Despite being outshot 16-7 in the period, the Saints entered the final frame in control, holding a commanding three-goal lead.
3rd Period
The Saints opened the final period with an early shot from Hanson, but the Gusties' defense held firm. Looking to close the gap, the Gusties ramped up their offensive pressure and broke through at 7:38, cutting the Saints' lead to 4-2.
Hanson and Adrian responded with attempts to restore a more comfortable cushion, but neither found the back of the net. The Saints had a chance to regain momentum with a power play at 11:07, generating shots from Shewchuk and Hanson again, but the Gusties' goaltender stood tall. Another power play followed just a minute later, with Evan Pahos (Parker, CO) and Sam Olson (Duluth, Minn/Cloquet HS) testing the net, but the Saints couldn't convert.
As the clock wound down, both teams exchanged shots, including an effort from Lanigan. In a last-ditch effort to force overtime, the Gusties pulled their goalie with just over two minutes remaining, but the Saints' defense held strong. When the final buzzer sounded, the Saints secured a 4-2 victory, capping off a memorable senior night with a well-earned win.
Senior Spotlight
Tonight we would like the following athletes for their hard work and dedication to the Saint Scholastica men's hockey team over their years of service: Michael Makarenko (Calgary, Alberta, Canada/Foot Hills Composite HS (Concordia University-Wisconsin NCHA)), Braeden Holcomb (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids HS), Jacob Seitz (Mountain Iron, Minn./Virginia HS), Nick Lanigan (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS), Alessio Raso (Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC, Canada/The Lawrenceville School), Brodie Girod (Clavet, SK, Canada/Clavet HS), Jack Fuss (Edina, Minn./Edina HS), and Sam Olson (Duluth, Minn/Cloquet HS).
Up Next - The Saint Scholastica men's hockey team will travel tomorrow, February 15, to St. Peter, MN to face the Gusties of Gustavus Adolphus College for their final regular season game of the year. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
