Last season, where the offense went, so did Gustavus. All of the Gusties’ 14 wins came when they scored at least four goals, and 11 of them came when they scored 5 or more goals. Only once, in the first round of the MIAC playoffs, did Gustavus lose when scoring at least five goals as the Gusties fell 7-5 to Bethel.
Gustavus looked strong at the beginning of the season, starting 9-2-0 before wining just 5 of its final 15 games, including a brutal 2-7-0 stretch in its final nine games of the season. In the last nine games, the Gusties had no defense, giving up an average of 4.89 goals per game. They’ll have to play better hockey at the end of the season this year as they face the same opponents in their final 10 games as they did a year ago.
The team’s leading scorer, senior forward/defenseman Jon Kesley (17-24-41) returns, along with the leading goal-scorer, senior left wing Mike Hosfield (19-17-36). Gone however, is are three of the next four highest point-getters from last season, including defenseman Keith Detlefsen, who scored 25 points in just 16 games.
