After a 3-2 loss in overtime to the Bulldogs on Friday, St. Lawrence responded with a 2-0 shutout of Ferris State at Appleton Arena on Saturday. Kyle Hayton recorded his first collegiate shutout in the game, a 33-save effort.
Hayton attributed the win to the play of the team in front of him, saying he didn’t have to do much work to get the win.
“They helped me out,” said Hayton, who was also happy with his own play, especially after a game the night before that he called frustrating. “I felt really good tonight.”
St. Lawrence coach Greg Carvel was happy with the way his goalie played, saying, “He gives our bench energy, the way he plays. Guys want to play for him.”
The Saints opened the scoring with a goal from defenseman Mitch Eden. A scrum in front of the Ferris State net caused the puck to pop out in front. Eden moved in from the point and fired it past C.J. Motte to give the Saints the 1-0 lead 4:30 into the first period. The goal was Eden’s first career goal and his first collegiate point.
Ferris State coach Bob Daniels wasn’t pleased with his team’s slow start, the second straight night in which they allowed a goal in the first five minutes.
“I thought St. Lawrence played really well as a team; it wasn’t until the third that we really had much pressure,” said Daniels.
Carvel thought his team played well in front of their rookie netminder.
“They really executed tonight,” he said. “This is a young team, a team finding its identity.”
There was no scoring through the second period, as the Saints held on to their one-goal lead. At 12:08 of the final frame, St. Lawrence assistant captain Pat Doherty capitalized on a chance to give the Saints a 2-0 lead. He picked off a pass and fired a shot from the left faceoff circle that beat Motte high.
“I just tried to be patient and let the play come to me,” said Doherty. “I had a couple chances like that before and I tried to make a pass. I decided I would let one rip.”
Ferris State pushed back after the goal, but a late five-minute major penalty sealed the game for St. Lawrence. Daniels said after the game that the penalty was a major blow, but not the reason they lost.
“I can’t lay the game on that; that’s just five minutes of a 60-minute game.” Daniels also put blame on himself for the lack of offense for the Bulldogs, saying, “I blame myself for that. We should have made an adjustment on our breakout earlier than we did.”
Carvel was pleased with his team’s performance, especially the penalty kill, which he said has been excellent through four games.
“The only part of the game I didn’t like was our power play,” said Carvel. The Saints were perfect on the penalty kill, but went 0-for-4 on the power play.
St. Lawrence plays next at Miami on the Oct. 24, while the Bulldogs host Michigan Tech at home on Oct. 24.
