SAINT PETER, Minn. – It’s been over three weeks since the Gustavus men’s hockey team last competed due to COVID-19 test protocols, but the Gusties are back on the ice Tuesday as they host Saint Mary’s for their home opener at Don Roberts Ice Rink. Puck-drop is set for 7 p.m. The Gusties enter the contest 0-2 overall, while the Cardinals are 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the MIAC.
THE SERIES: Tuesday night’s matchup marks the 132nd meeting between Gustavus and Saint Mary’s on the ice with the Gusties leading the all-time series 80-44-7. The last meeting between the two teams was Jan. 30, which was also the last time Gustavus played a game. The Cardinals won that non-conference game 4-3.
LAST TIME OUT: After a scoreless first period that saw the Gusties win the shot count 10-4, Saint Mary’s took the first lead with a goal at the 10:13 mark of the second period. Four minutes later, Tyler Ebner (Jr., La Crosse, Wis.) tallied his first goal of the season with the help of Nick Mueller (Fy., Buffalo). The Cardinals were able to regain the lead with 2:20 left in the frame and carried a 2-1 advantage into the second intermission.
The home team gained a 4-1 lead in the first 2:48 of the third period with back-to-back goals within 22 seconds of each other. The Gusties would not go down without a fight, though, as Logan Norman (Sr., Luverne) scored unassisted at the 16:08 mark. And with 1:19 left in regulation, Caleb Anderson (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) scored another unassisted goal to make it a one-goal game, but the home team fended off the late surge and was able to secure a 4-3 win.
Justin Damon (So., St. Michael) took the loss in net, allowing four goals with 12 saves. The Gusties outshot the Cardinals 35-16.
SCOUTING THE GUSTIES: Through two games this season, the Gusties are averaging 2.5 goals and allow 5.5 per game. They’ve gone 1-for-7 on the power play and have allowed three power play goals in six opportunities. The Gusties are outshooting their opponents by an average of 34-23. There have been five goals scored by five different players in the two games this season. Caleb Anderson leads the scoring with one goal and one assist. Justin Damon and Robbie Goor (Sr., Anoka) have split time in goal with Goor allowing seven goals with 23 saves in 60 minutes, while Damon has allowed four goals with 12 saves in nearly 59 minutes.
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS: Saint Mary’s has been on pause for nearly three weeks as well, most recently defeating Concordia 3-1 on Feb. 6. Through three games the Cardinals average 3.5 goals and allow 2.0 per game. They are 1-for-4 on the power play and have not allowed a power play goal in eight chances. SMU has been out-shot by its opponents by a 31-17 average. Bud Winter and Tommy Stang lead the stat sheet with three points apiece. Winter has two goals and an assist, while Stang has one goal and two assists. Al Rogers has started two games in net with a 2.00 goals against average and .935 save percentage.