Box Score

BLAINE, Minn. – Saint John's hockey opened its 2018-19 season with a 3-2, non-conference loss to St. Thomas as part of the MIAC Showcase on Friday, Oct. 26, at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine.

St. Thomas was picked to repeat as MIAC champions in the conference coaches' poll, with SJU close behind in second, and both teams received votes in the USCHO.com preseason poll.

The Johnnies out-shot the Tommies, 35-21, in the game.

UST found the scoreboard first at the 13:50 mark of the first period (Colton Berg) and Luke Radetic made it 2-0 1:18 into the second.

Senior forward Joe Chitwood (Carmel, Ind.) cut the Johnnies' deficit in half with the team's first goal of the season thanks to a tip in front of the net with 4:45 left in the second period. The defenseman duo of sophomore Travis Brown (Otsego, Minn.) and junior Cole Souto (Yorba Linda, Calif.) earned the assists after the offensive-zone faceoff win.

Broydon Stufko extended UST's lead to 3-1 early (1:46) in the third period.

Junior Kyle Wagner (St. Francis, Minn.) made it a one-goal game on a power-play goal with 5:13 elapsed in the final frame. Wagner ripped a shot on net that deflected off a UST player through the goalie's five-hole. Junior forward Brady Heppner (Crookston, Minn.) and senior forward Garrett Riebling (Chanhassen, Minn.) were credited with the assists.

Junior goaltender Andrew Lindgren (Minneapolis, Minn.) made 18 saves in the loss.

The Johnnies wrap up the MIAC Showcase with a 3:30 p.m. game Sunday, Oct. 28, against Bethel.