Box Score | Photos (John Biasi)

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The University of St. Thomas scored three goals on four shots in the first 7:32 of the game and never looked back as the visiting Tommies defeated Saint John's 7-3 Friday, Dec. 5 in St. Cloud.

Parker Burgess, Sean Bryant and Adam Davis gave UST a 3-0 lead before senior forward Brian Baker (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) scored the first of his two goals on the night at the 11:04 mark of the first period. Senior defensemen Lance Wheeler (Clearwater, Minn.) and Clayton Rehm (Park Rapids, Minn.) assisted on the scoring play for SJU (1-8, 0-5 MIAC).

Rob Johnson and Matt Letourneau increased the Tommies' lead to 5-1 with back-to-back goals in the second period.

Junior forward Karl Gilbert (Hermantown, Minn.) tallied his first goal of the season with less than four minutes left in the second frame with an assist going to senior forward Jason Johannes (Eagan, Minn.).

Baker recorded his second goal of the game; this time on the power play, 14:38 into the final period with assists going to sophomore defenseman Brent Brodersen (Shakopee, Minn.) and senior forward Jake Hipp (Bismarck, N.D.). Hipp had a prime opportunity with a penalty shot 4:29 into the second period, but missed the net.

UST's Alex Arnason and Burgess added goals 59 seconds apart near the end of the third period to end the scoring for both teams, 7-3.

Freshman goaltender Steele DeFazio (Toronto, Ontario) made 23 saves in relief of senior goaltender Vince Wheeler (Clearwater, Minn.), who left the game following the Tommies' first three goals.

Sean Deichert made 25 saves for St. Thomas, which was 0-for-6 on the power play in the game.

SJU returns to action Saturday, Dec. 6 at St. Thomas. The puck is set to drop at 7:05 p.m. at the St. Thomas Ice Arena in Mendota Heights.