Saint Peter, Minn - The St. Scholastica men's hockey team played their final regular season game in part two of a thrilling series against the Gustavus Golden Gusties. Despite beginning the third period down 3-0, the Saints were able to force overtime with goals from Wyatt Wurst (Edina, MN), Hunter Hanson (Blaine, Minn./Blaine HS), and Tristan Shewchuk (Saskatoon, SK, Canada/St. Joseph HS). However, after a scoreless overtime period took place, a shootout ultimately decided things tonight, with the Gusties winning 2-1, securing the crucial extra MIAC point.
The Gustie's offense came alive early with a goal at the 7:04 mark from Kyle Heffron on just the third shot of the game. Despite a strong shot on goal from Evan Pahos (Parker, CO), the Gusties were able to score again at the 9:00 mark with a goal from Jack Wineman. Alessio Raso (Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC, Canada/The Lawrenceville School) and Shewchuk both had strong shots on net late in the first period, but the Gustie's goaltender was able to keep them from scoring, resulting in a 2-0 deficit for the Saints after the first period.
The second period saw the Gusties extend their lead with another goal from Wineman at the 4:47 mark. The Saints found themselves down three goals heading into the third period, unable to score in the first two periods of the game.
The Saints, needing an offensive push, were able to do just that. At the 3:42 mark of the third period, Wyatt Wurst (Edina, MN) was able to score with assists from Nathan Adrian (Roseau, Minn./Roseau HS) and Jacob Seitz (Mountain Iron, Minn./Virginia HS). At the 9:33 mark, Hanson scored his 13th goal of the season with an assist from Brodie Girod (Clavet, SK, Canada/Clavet HS), bringing the Saints within one goal at 3-2 with just over 10 minutes left in regulation.
Shortly after Hanson's goal, the Gustie's Jackson McCarthy was called for a minor cross-check penalty. In the same sequence, the Saint's Braden Panzer (Grand Forks, ND) found himself in violation of embellishment, leading to coincidental minor calls. During this 4-on-4 period, the Gusties were called for a high-sticking penalty, leading to a Saints power play. Shewchuk was able to capitalize, scoring the tying goal at the 12:04 mark, with an assist from Adrian. This marked three unanswered goals for the Saints, tying the game at 3-3 with just under eight minutes in the third period.
With less than a minute in regulation, Hanson had a great chance with a shot that was saved, but Gavin Gunderson (Roseau, Minn) was in perfect position for a rebound goal. Gunderson was able to sneak the puck past the Gustie's goaltender, but the officials ultimately waved the goal off, ruling it a kick-in. Neither team was able to score in the final seconds of regulation, forcing extra hockey in Saint Peter.
In the shootout, Hanson was up first for the Saints, but was denied by the Gustie's goaltender. Drew Holt was then able to give the Gusties an early advantage with a successful attempt. Both teams' second shooters, Shewchuk for the Saints and Wilmer Svensson for the Gusties, were unsuccessful in their attempts. Adrian was able to score in clutch fashion to tie the shootout up, but the Gustie's Jack Wineman answered, securing a 2-1 shootout victory for Gustavus, giving them two MIAC points on the night.
Tonight's game wraps up the regular season for the Saints (12-11-2, 7-8-1). They currently sit at fifth place in the MIAC standings with 23 points. The Saints now wait for the conclusion of the remaining regular season games across the MIAC to determine their playoff fate. The MIAC semifinals are set to begin on February 27th.
