MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. – First-year forward Justin Kelley took in two goals for St. Thomas, helping the No. 4-ranked St. Thomas men’s hockey team to end No. 5-ranked Gustavus’ season, winning 3-2 Thursday at Saint Thomas Ice Arena.
Kelley leads the Tommies in goals, with 10 this season.
“It’s cool, it’s great, but it’s more about the team success right now,” Kelley said. “I wouldn’t be anywhere without guys setting me up and making plays for me.”
Gustavus (11-12-3) took the initial lead in the game toward the end of the first period off an unassisted power-play goal from sophomore forward Brenden Payne. Sophomore forward Luke Radetic scored for the Tommies (13-10-3) 30 seconds later, tying the game 1-1 in the first period.
“It’s do or die,” Radetic said. “I thought we’d come out hard and did it for the seniors mostly, so it was good to get that first one out of the way. Saturday is going to be big.”
A major penalty was issued to St. Thomas senior defender Alex Trapp, ejecting him from the game for contact to the head. Trapp rammed into Gustavus sophomore forward Tyler Ebner halfway into the second period.
Trapp didn’t mean to hurt Ebner and there was no malicious intent, he said.
“I mean, I feel bad, but I don’t want to hurt anybody,” Trapp said. “It’s part of the game…it’s a contact sport…it’s playoff hockey.”
The MIAC and the NCAA will be reviewing the ejection to see if it is worthy of a suspension, Trapp said.
“The refs saw it one way, I don’t think it was a hit to the head,” coach Jeff Boeser said. “We looked at the video, it wasn’t, but it is what it is.”
Kelley’s two goals both came in the second period, one assisted by Radetic and junior defender Phil Fromberger in the beginning of the period, and an unassisted one toward the end.
Gustavus junior defender Mason Etter topped it off for the Gusties with three minutes left in the game.
“I could tell our guys were focused and ready to play,” Boeser said. “Especially our seniors, you know, it’s a one and done type of situation so I’m real proud of the guys tonight.”
Gustavus junior goalie Robbie Goor saved 33 out of 36 shots from St. Thomas, while St. Thomas first-year goalie Henry Baribeau took in 26 out of 28 shots from Gustavus.
The Tommies travel to St. John’s to play the No. 1-ranked Johnnies in the MIAC semifinals at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud.
The team’s goal for the game is simple.
“Win,” Radetic said.
Justin Amaker can be reached at justin.amaker@stthomas.edu.