MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. — A quick start for St. Thomas men’s hockey led them to defeat the College of St. Scholastica 5-1 in their season opener Saturday at Saint Thomas Ice Arena.
St. Thomas carried their five game winning streak over to their final season in the MIAC with almost no practice and several new players on the ice.
“We had one skate before today which was yesterday and it was a scrimmage just to get our legs warmed up a little bit, but we haven’t even practiced as a team,” Assistant Coach Nick Bydal said.
This season’s roster includes the addition of 11 first-years and seven transfer players.
“It’s definitely tough when some of the guys don’t know eachothers names and are meeting each other this week but we do have a lot of good players out there,” senior defender and captain Phil Fromberger said. “We made the best of it.”
The night started with a quick 3-0 lead in the first period thanks to two power play goals.
Senior forward Joey Sofo scored two goals in his first game as a Tommie along with two new players: junior forward Grant Loven and sophomore forward Luke Manning.
“Coming in this is my second time skating with everyone since we have pods for practice up until now and I think we all just knew we needed to play like we were supposed to,” Sofo said.
Starting goalie, sophomore Henry Baribeau who split the game with junior Jacob Berger, stopped all seven shots he faced in the first period and a half. Berger finished the game stopping 16 of 17 shots.
Berger, a transfer student from Minnesota State University, Mankato, is enjoying his new experience as a Tommie.
“I didn’t know what to expect coming in and I hadn’t met much of the guys but they really care about hockey here and want to progress and get better,” Berger said.
Only half the team suited up for the game to ensure the safety of the players so they are able to compete going forward.
Saturday’s game was the first competition for any St. Thomas team since last March. No spectators in attendance made Saint Thomas Ice Arena feel empty due to COVID-19 guidelines.
“It says a lot about us that we are willing to play and go through all this like how much we love the game because it’s not easy for anyone right now,” Sofo said.
St. Thomas hopes to see the same quick start Friday when St. Thomas takes on Gustavus at 7 p.m.
Olivia Paradise can be reached at para4336@stthomas.edu.