Box Score

WINONA, Minn. – Saint John's hockey settled for a weekend split with a 7-3 loss at Saint Mary's on Saturday night, Feb. 4, in Winona.

The Johnnies (12-9-2, 8-5-1 MIAC) amassed 17 shots on goal with a man advantage but went 0-for-8 on the power play. To make matters worse, Saint Mary's (10-10-1, 6-6-0 MIAC) went 3-for-7 on the power play and SJU's lineup was without four starting forwards – junior Max Borst (Edina, Minn.), sophomore Matt DeRosa (Alpharetta, Ga.), senior Nick Michel (Waconia, Minn.) and sophomore Jackson Sabo (Rosemount, Minn.) – due to injuries suffered in Thursday night's (Feb. 2) 2-0 win in St. Cloud. The quartet has combined for 58 points (28g/30a), including 15 (9g/6a) on the power play, this season.

The loss ended the Johnnies' seven-game win streak at SMU Ice Arena (first since 2013).

After the Cardinals found the scoreboard first halfway through the first period, SJU gained a 2-1 lead with goals from senior forward Dan Wieber (St. Joseph, Minn.) and freshman forward Rob Christy (St. Paul, Minn.). SMU, however, scored four-straight goals – including three in the second period – to build a 5-2 lead. A defensive-zone turnover led to the game-tying goal and SMU scored the first of its three power-play tallies 1:22 later.

Freshman defenseman Michael Spinner (Prior Lake, Minn.) cut the deficit to 5-3 with 11:28 left in the third period, but the Cardinals scored two power-play goals 2:02 apart to seal the win. SJU was whistled for five penalties in the third period alone, including two on the same rush to give SMU a 5-on-3 for a full two minutes with 9:17 remaining.

Sophomore goaltender Bailey Huber (Mahtomedi, Minn.) made 25 saves in the loss as SJU outshot SMU, 36-32.

The Johnnies host St. Olaf (11-9-1, 5-7-0 MIAC) for their final home game of the regular season at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud.