Box Score

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Saint John's hockey returned to the win column with a 4-2 non-conference win over Wisconsin-Stout on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud.

The Johnnies' fourth line of sophomores Ross Stecklein (Roseville, Minn.) and Dan Voce (Princeton, Minn.), and freshman Sam Valerius (Maple Grove, Minn.) entered the game with one point in 12 varsity games but was responsible for the team's first goal and the game-winning tally.

Voce put SJU (8-5-4, 4-3-1 MIAC) on the scoreboard with his first collegiate goal, in his second varsity game, 5:22 into the game. Stecklein crashed the net and ripped two shots on goal, in which the second rebound deflected to Voce at the side of the net.

Stout (5-9-1, 2-2-0 WIAC) tied it at 1-1 with a power-play goal from Tyler Cayemberg at the 11:59 mark of the second period. 

Senior forward John Carroll (Eagan, Minn.) put the home team back in front with 2:23 left in the second. Junior forward Alex Ach (Champlin, Minn.) poke-checked the puck to senior forward Phil Johnson (Duluth, Minn.), who then fed a wide-open Carroll in front for his fifth goal of the season.

The fourth line came through again as Stecklein gave SJU a two-goal lead with his first collegiate goal 6:17 into the third period, with assists going to Voce and Valerius.

Shayne McLaughlin cut the Blue Devils' deficit to one 1:52 later, but SJU's two-goal cushion returned thanks to a blast from senior defenseman Wally Cossette (Maple Grove, Minn.) on the power play with 8:19 remaining. Junior forward Andrew Commers (Edina, Minn.) and sophomore forward Kevin Becker (Roseville, Minn.) were credited with the assists. 

Junior goaltender Jason Dzurik (Loretto, Minn.) made 22 saves to earn his second win in his fourth varsity start.

SJU out-shot Stout 44-24 and recorded a 51-24 advantage on faceoffs.

The Johnnies were without five starters due to injury: freshman forward Tyler Dunagan (Maple Grove, Minn.), senior defenseman and captain Dave Mylrea (Brooklyn Park, Minn.), senior defenseman Nick Senta (Savage, Minn.), junior forward Neal Smith (Rogers, Minn.) and junior goaltender Saxton Soley (Elk Mound, Wis.).

SJU returns to conference play with a 7 p.m. home game against Gustavus Adolphus on Friday, Jan. 30, at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.