Saint John's (3-4-1, 1-3-0 MIAC) travels to play two non-conference games this weekend in Michigan. The Johnnies face No. 5 Adrian (Mich.) at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27, and then Buffalo State (N.Y.) at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28. – Live Stats (Both Games)
Preview Video:
-Head Coach Doug Schueller (3:18)
A LOOK AT THE JOHNNIES: Saint John's is coming off a weekend split with St. Thomas. The Johnnies outshot UST 11-9 in the third period but could not capitalize on a 5-on-3 power play with less than seven minutes remaining in regulation in the 2-1 loss on Nov. 20. Senior Karl Gilbert (Hermantown, Minn.) scored SJU's lone goal 2:35 into the third frame.
SJU scored three third-period goals, two shorthanded, to defeat the Tommies 3-0 on Nov. 21. Senior goaltender Stu Van Ess (Kewaskum, Wis.) stopped all 33 shots to record his second shutout of the season and the first for a Johnnie goaltender against UST since Feb. 21, 2004 (Adam Hanna, 14 saves in the 1-0 victory). Van Ess now leads the MIAC in both GAA (1.59) and save percentage (.944).
Following a scoreless first and second periods, freshman forward Joe Harren (Warroad, Minn.) scored his first career goal, shorthanded just 1:43 into the third period. Junior defenseman James Olmscheid (St. Cloud, Minn.) assisted on the play. Senior Gabriel Harren (Warroad, Minn.), Joe's cousin, added a shorthanded goal of his own on a breakaway with exactly three minutes remaining in regulation. Sophomore Conor Rooney (Stillwater, Minn.) was credited with the assist. Sophomore Grant Ellena (Coon Rapids, Minn.) put the game away with an even-strength goal at the 18:34 mark with assists going to senior Chris Murray (Chanhassen, Minn.) and junior Mike Wallgren (Oakdale, Minn.). Van Ess now leads the MIAC in both GAA (1.59) and save percentage (.944).
A LOOK AT THE BULLDOGS: Adrian is currently 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the MCHA, as the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 54-15 so far this season. Juniors Mike Dahlinger and Sam Kuzyk lead the team with 19 (5g/14a) and 15 points (8g/7), respectively. Junior Brad Fogal is 6-0 with a 2.17 GAA and a .925 save percentage in goal this season.
THE LAST MEETING: Adrian jumped out to a 4-0 lead with three goals in the second period to defeat Saint John's 5-2 on Jan. 4, 2009, in St. Cloud. Kyle Watson gave Adrian a 1-0 lead 14:01 into the first period, before Eric Miller, Brad Houston and Mike Dahlinger scored goals 3:09 apart in the second period. Miller and Dahlinger's goals were with the man advantage. With a 5-on-3 power play, Clayton Rehm put SJU on the board with his first goal of the season at the 10:58 mark of the third period. Ellena and Gilbert assisted on the scoring play. Mike Towns netted a shorthanded goal 41 seconds later to increase the lead to 5-1 in favor of Adrian. The shorthanded tally was the first allowed by the Johnnies since Feb. 23, 2007. Pat Connelly tallied a power-play goal with less than four minutes to play to end the scoring at 5-2. Gilbert and senior Lance Wheeler were credited with assists. The two teams combined for 27 penalties and 62 minutes in the box. Both squads were two of six on the power play. - Box Score
A LOOK AT THE BENGALS: Buffalo State is currently 1-7-1 overall and 1-6-1 in the SUNYAC. In contrast to Adrian, BSU has been outscored 43-18 so far this season. Junior Nick Petriello leads the Bengals with nine points (5g/4a), while goaltenders Adam Fritch and Mike Mesaros have combined for a 4.73 GAA and a .865 save percentage.
