MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. – First-year forward Jack Vincent scored two goals in the first period, leading St. Thomas to a 8-2 win against Hamline Friday at Saint Thomas Ice Arena.
Vincent is now tied with sophomore forward Luke Radetic and first-year forward Justin Kelley with the second most goals this season for the team. Each of them have six goals apiece.
“I found a lot of success lately through my teammates,” Vincent said. “Me and (Justin) Kelley have really found some chemistry together and I think that’s helped both of us.”
The Tommies got off to a quick start against the Pipers (5-15-4, 3-9-3 MIAC) and never let up. Senior forward John Panvica got the Tommies (10-9-3, 7-5-1 MIAC) on the board four minutes into the first period, with an assist from senior forward Broydon Stufko and first-year defender Charlie Kiefer.
Panvica’s goal is his eighth of the season for the Tommies.
“We did a lot of thinking and preparation for the game and just wanted to have a good showing tonight,” Panvica said, “and I think we did that all the way through from the top to the bottom.”
Vincent’s first goal was assisted by senior forward Brett Gravelle and 40 seconds later his second goal was assisted by Gravelle and junior defender Phil Fromberger.
Senior forward Jack Christensen scored his second goal of the season towards the end of the first period, assisted by Panvica and Stufko.
Hamline first-year defender Erik Dahl got the Pipers on the board 13 minutes into the second period, with an assist from first-year defender Ryan Murray. The Tommies responded four minutes later with Stufko’s fifth goal of the season, assisted by Kiefer and Panvica.
“It was just really nice to see some goals going,” coach Jeff Boeser said. “We’re happy with that, for sure.”
Kelley took his sixth goal of the season in the third period assisted by first-year forward Andrew Kangas. Hamline senior forward Brady Crabtree added one more goal for the Pipers, assisted by sophomore forward Bailey Martin.
Another St. Thomas goal came from junior forward Spencer Zwiener assisted by Stufko.
Christensen topped it off for the Tommies assisted by Kiefer and Zwiener.
The Tommies took 37 shots on goal, while Hamline took 17. Both Hamline and St. Thomas received six penalties.
The Tommies travel to TRIA Rink in St. Paul Saturday at 7 p.m. for a rematch with the Pipers. The Tommies’ final two games of the regular season are Feb. 21 and 22 against Augsburg.
Justin Amaker can be reached at justin.amaker@stthomas.edu.