St. Thomas is the champion of the MIAC after blanking St. Olaf, 6-0, Saturday in the final game of the regular season. The Tommies went into the day tied with Augsburg atop the standings, but the Auggies lost 4-2 to Saint John’s Saturday. The Tommies clinch their fifth title in the last six year, finishing 13-7-5 overall and 11-3-2 in the MIAC. It’s their 31st conference title overall.
Benjamin Myers paved the way for St. Thomas on Saturday, recording his third shutout of the year. He made 22 saves in the win. Alex Trapp had a memorable night in the victory, scoring the first two goals of his collegiate career. He also dished an assist. Michael Dockry and Broydon Stufko each dished out two assists as the Tommies wrapped up the regular season with momentum. They went 5-2-1 over their last seven games.
Augsburg wrapped up the second seed in the MIAC tournament despite the loss to the Johnnies Saturday. Augsburg tied the game 2-2 on goals by Will Peterson and Eric Brenk. The Johnnies scored twice in the third to secure the win. Kevin Becker scored the go-ahead goal for the Johnnies and Joe Chitwood added an insurance goal. Jordyn Kaufer made 31 saves for Augsburg. Augsburg entered the game on a nine-game unbeaten streak, but couldn’t stretch it to 10 as it finishes the regular season with a 15-4-6 overall mark. The Auggies were 9-2-5 in MIAC play.
Concordia heads into the postseason for the fifth consecutive year after earning a 6-2 win over Bethel Friday night. The two teams combined for 86 shots on goal in the wild game. Jon Grebosky helped lead the way for Concordia, scoring twice in the game. He has scored at least 11 goals in three consecutive seasons and has tallied 20 points in each of those first three seasons with the Cobbers as well. Grebosky has scored 12 goals this season. Dalton Mills also tallied two goals in the win and Sam Nelson made 31 saves in goal. The Cobbers are 13-9-2 overall and 7-6-2 in conference play. They now face Hamline in a first-round game Thursday. The winner gets St. Thomas in the semifinal round.
Andrew Bjorklund and George Splichal both scored for the Royals, who bounced back with a 4-3 win on Saturday. The Royals trailed 3-1 before Dylan Webster, Al Nejmeh, and Tucker Gran all scored to propel Bethel to the win. Webster finished the night with two goals for the Royals, who won their first game since beating St. Olaf 5-3 Feb. 3. The Royals had lost four consecutive games.
Wisconsin-Superior moved on in the WIAC playoffs after edging Wisconsin-Stout, 3-2, Saturday night in the decisive mini-game. The mini-game went to overtime before Wis.-Superior’s Bruno Birtzitis scored to lift the Yellow Jackets to the win. Wis.-Superior moves on to play reigning national champion Wisconsin-Stevens Point in the semifinal round of the tourney.
Earlier in the night, Wis.-Superior extended its season with a 4-2 victory thanks to a stellar performance from Anton Svensson. Svensson came through with a hat trick in the win. Liam Blais scored the other goal for the Yellow Jackets, who are now 8-17-2 on the year. Ian Ecklund tallied two assists for Wis.-Superior, while Connor Bump and Connor Valesano both scored goals for the Blue Devils, who are 12-13-2 on the year.
Wis.-Stout won the opener 4-3 Friday night. The game was tied 3-3 entering the third period before Gavin Smith scored the game-winner early in the final period. Wis.-Superior jumped in front 2-0 on goals by Owen Stauber and Svensson. Karl Andersen and Alex Toscano tied the score at 2-2. Svensson gave the Yellow Jackets a 3-2 lead before Adam Kresl scored off a power play to tie the game once again.
Lake Forest punched a ticket to the NCHA playoffs with a 6-1 win over Lawrence Saturday. The Foresters, winners of seven consecutive games, surged in front 3-0 and never looked back against the Vikings. Billy Cooper made 19 saves for his seventh win of the year and helped Lake Forest improve to 16-9 overall. The Foresters finish NCHA play with a 12-8 record. Lake Forest heads to Marian for the opening round of the playoffs Wednesday. Bron Loiselle scored twice for the Foresters. He also dished out an assist. Jack Lewis scored as well as he pushed his team-best goal total to 17. He has dished out 15 assists as well this year.
Blake Roubos scored the lone goal for the Vikings, who end their year with a 6-16-3 record. The Vikings finished 5-12-3 in the conference.
Marian clinched home-ice advantage in the opening round of the NCHA playoffs with a 5-0 win over Aurora Saturday night. Gianni Mangone fueled the offensive attack of the Sabres. Clay Cross, Jake Howie, and Derek Thorogood also scored for Marian, which improved to 14-9-2. The Sabres finish at 12-7-1 in NCHA action. Mike Baldwin was solid in goal as he stopped 27 shots and won his 12th game of the year. Marian heads into the postseason riding a five-game unbeaten streak. The Sabres have won four games during the stretch.
Northland seemed like the most unlikely contender for a playoff berth when the season began. Winners of just seven games a year ago, the Lumberjacks won just three of their first 10 games this season. The Lumberjacks clinched a playoff berth Friday night with a 6-4 win over Concordia on the road. Northland improved to 11-11-2 on the year, breaking the record for wins in a season. The Lumberjacks are in the conference playoffs for the first time since joining the league. Lucas DeBenedet led the way as he scored a goal and dished out two assists. Jason Reynolds came through with a goal and an assist. Kurt Sonne scored a goal and tallied an assist. Kalib Ford tallied two assists.
Adam Fauchoux scored a goal and dished out three assists to pace the Falcons.
Concordia bounced back Saturday with a 2-1 win, ending the year with a 13-11-1 record. The Falcons finished 10-9-1 in conference play. Travis Marit and Josh Adkins both scored for Concordia in the win.
