Box ScoreMENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. – Saint John's hockey ended its regular season with a 3-1 loss at St. Thomas on Friday, Feb. 20, at the Cadet Ice Arena in Mendota Heights.
The season hangs in the balance for SJU (11-9-5, 7-7-2 MIAC), which is currently tied with Augsburg for the fifth and final postseason bid for next week's MIAC Playoffs. The Auggies (11-13, 8-7 MIAC), however, win the head-to-head tie-breaker on the league's second tie-breaking criteria (MIAC wins). The Johnnies can earn their fourth consecutive postseason bid in the situation of a three-way tie between Augsburg and Gustavus Adolphus, however, as the first tie-breaker is winning percentage amongst tied teams. SJU split with Augsburg and went 1-0-1 against GAC for a 2-1-1 record, while the Auggies (2-2-0) split with Gustavus (1-2-1).
To achieve a three-way tie at 24 points, SJU needs Gustavus to defeat Bethel (at home) and St. Olaf to defeat Augsburg (on the road) in regulation or overtime. A shootout following an overtime tie, in either game Saturday night, would nullify the possibility of a three-way tie in the conference standings.
Following a scoreless first period, senior forward
John Haeg (Lakeville, Minn.) gave SJU a 1-0 lead with a shorthanded, breakaway goal with 1:10 into the second period. The goal, which was assisted by senior defenseman
Nick Senta (Savage, Minn.), was Haeg's 20th point of the season (8g/12a) and 101st in 103 career games.
Michael Krieg tied it for UST (16-5-4, 10-3-3 MIAC) with 12:57 left in the second period and Nick Nielsen scored what proved to be the game-winning goal 1:11 later. Willie Faust added an empty-net goal with 1:13 remaining.
SJU out-shot the Tommies 30-28, including a 25-19 advantage after the first period, but went 0-for-4 on the power play.
Junior goaltender
Saxton Soley (Elk Mound, Wis.) made 25 saves in the loss for SJU, which will become Gustie and Ole fans Saturday night.
