MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. – Defenseman Michael Krieg’s second-period goal tied the game at one, but forward Nick Nielsen’s tally less than two minutes later proved to be the eventual game-winner as the St. Thomas men’s hockey team defeated St. John’s 3-1 Friday night at the St. Thomas Ice Arena.
More than 700 spectators packed into the arena to witness the Tommies (16-5-4 overall, 10-3-3 MIAC) clinch their fourth straight MIAC regular season championship and the No. 1 overall seed for the conference playoffs. Assistant coach Parker Burgess said St. Thomas is excited to win another title, but the team’s focus has already shifted to the postseason.
“We’re a really focused group. These guys have been there before, and it’s a special accomplishment for them to win four straight conference championships in the regular season, but they haven’t won the ultimate prize,” Burgess said. “If you ask any of those seniors, they would trade all four of their regular season championships in for one national title, and that’s the mindset moving forward.”
St. John’s forward John Haeg opened the game’s scoring when he picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and went in all alone on St. Thomas goaltender Drew Fielding. Haeg’s shorthanded goal was unassisted and forced the Tommies to come from behind for the second time in two nights. Coach Jeff Boeser said his team’s seniors were a steadying force throughout the game.
“To be honest, it is our senior leadership. They kept everybody calm, and they lead the way. They played well, and (Fielding) led the way tonight,” Boeser said.
Fielding recorded 29 saves in the game to secure his 52nd career victory with St. Thomas. Fielding said the pregame mindset Friday was to simply stay focused.
“It’s always a fun rivalry – Tommie-Johnnie. Any sport is big, and for us, they have been a big rival all four years that I have been here,” Fielding said. “We knew they were going to come out with everything they had; their playoff lives depended on it. We wanted to have the cut-throat mentality to end team’s seasons.”
Just over seven minutes into the second period, Krieg wound up for a slap shot off a faceoff win and beat St. John’s goaltender Saxton Soley through the five-hole to tie the game at one. Krieg said he was just trying to get the puck toward the net.
“I got the puck, and I was just trying to find a lane. I shot it wide, it hit off a skate and went in,” Krieg said. “It was pretty lucky, but we’ll take it.”
Just over a minute after Krieg’s third goal of the season, forward Nick Nielsen received a pass from linemate Bobby Murphy and deposited the puck into the back of the net to give the Tommies a 2-1 lead. Nielsen’s third game-winning goal of the season tied him with forward Alex Altenbernd for the team lead on the year.
Fielding made 10 saves in the third period to help St. Thomas hold off St. John’s frantic rally attempt, but a fluky goal sealed the win. Forward Willie Faust was credited with an empty-net goal with 1:13 left in regulation when a Johnnie player deflected his pass intended for forward Alex Altenbernd into the net.
For Krieg and the Tommies, any celebration will be short-lived.
“We’re done celebrating the regular season championship. It’s time to go to work,” Krieg said. “The real season starts now.”
St. Thomas will host the winner of the opening round play-in game between the No. 4 and 5 seeds on Saturday, Feb. 28. Six teams – Concordia-Moorhead, St. Mary’s, Hamline, Augsburg, St. John’s and Gustavus – are still alive in the MIAC playoff picture on the final day of the regular season, and matchups on Saturday, Feb. 21 will determine final seedings.
Travis Swan can be reached at swan9954@stthomas.edu.