Both the Gustavus men’s and women’s hockey teams used home ice to their advantage on Wednesday night to win MIAC Playoff Championship games and advance to the NCAA Tournament. The women defeated St. Thomas 3-0 to win their sixth straight MIAC Playoff Championship, while the men defeated Hamline 5-2 to win their first MIAC Playoff Championship since the 1992-93 season.
The women’s team got two goals from junior Melissa Mackley, and a third from senior Mari Gunderson in their victory. First-year goaltender Danielle Justice made 23 saves to record her sixth shutout of the season.
The men’s team showed some nerves early in the first period as they fell behind the Pipers 2-0 before the game was four minutes old. But the Gusties battled back with two first period goals of their own from junior Rory Dynan and first-year Ross Ring-Jarvi to tie the game at two.
Dynan and Ring-Jarvi were at it again in the second period as both players scored their second goals of the game less than a minute apart from one another to give the Gusties a 4-2 lead.
Sophomore Brad Wieck added an insurance goal midway through the third period. Senior goaltender Matt Lopes made 17 saves in the victory.
Visit the Gustavus Athletics page for more information about both games and to stay up to date on who, when, and where the Gusties will play in the NCAA Tournament.
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