Box Score

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Saint John's hockey dropped the series opener to St. Olaf, 3-1 on Thursday, Feb. 8, at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.

Following a scoreless first period, freshman forward Chris Kernan (Maple Grove, Minn.) put SJU (9-11-4, 6-8-1 MIAC) on the scoreboard first with his first collegiate goal 11:47 into the second. Kernan's initial shot from the slot was blocked by an Ole defender, but the puck deflected to junior forward Garrett Smith (Eden Prairie, Minn.), who passed it back to Kernan in front of the net.

The Oles (9-10-2, 5-6-2 MIAC), however, responded with three-straight goals. Troy Bowditch tied the game 56 seconds after Kernan's tally and Jack Boxer gave the visitors, who were fresh off their bye week, the lead 1:29 later. Jonathan Young made it 3-1 with 1:14 remaining in the frame.

The Johnnies had an extra attacker on the ice for the final 2:16 and looked to have cut their deficit to one with 55.6 seconds left in regulation, but the referee blew the play dead with the puck loose in the crease. 

Sophomore goaltender Jon Howe (Chanhassen, Minn.) made 22 saves in the loss. The Johnnies posted a 9-3 shot advantage in the third period to even the game's total at 25-25.

SJU wraps up the series and ends its regular-season schedule with a 7 p.m. puck-drop at St. Olaf on Friday, Feb. 9, in Northfield.