First-year goaltender Aaron Trotter blocked 34 out of 36 pictures on goal and made a a very powerful save in overtime, giving first-year proper wing Josh Eernisse the chance to attain. The game-winning goal gave the St. Thomas men’s hockey crew its first win this season because the Tommies defeated Alaska-Fairbanks 3-2 Saturday at St. Thomas Ice Arena.
The Tommies (1-3, 0-0 CCHA) dedicated 8 consequences within the sport, two of which pressured Trotter into five-on-three eventualities. During the power-play alternatives, the Nanooks (2-1-1) got here away with two objectives.
“(Trotter) gave us the chance to win the game,” trainer Rico Blasi stated. “Every start he has always given us an opportunity to win games.”
Eernisse attacked with pace and despatched the puck into the Nanooks’ internet simply over a minute into overtime.
“I kind of knew where I was going the whole time; I just had the spot picked out and put it right where I wanted,” Eernisse stated. “I think that’s a good first feeling right there.”
Eernisse is among the 17 new skaters added to the Tommies’ roster this 12 months, and Blasi noticed his crew’s development throughout the non-conference matchup this weekend.
“I think we understand a little more,” Blasi stated. “Not quite there yet I don’t think, but we still understand a little bit more how to win at this level.”
Junior heart Mack Byers scored the primary goal within the sport about 8 mins into the primary length, assisted via first-year proper wing Lucas Wahlin and first-year left wing Ryan O’Neil.
The Nanooks’ offense spoke back with two objectives in the second one length. Sophomore ahead Chase Dubois scored the Nanooks’ first goal with seven mins left in the second one length. Five mins later, sophomore ahead Brady Risk put the Nanooks up 2-1.
“They got some good goals, but we battled through some adversity, and I think that is a huge character win,” Trotter stated.
The Tommies had 5 consequences in the second one length, together with slashing, maintaining, roughing and cross-checking.
“We were killing quite a bit, probably more than we wanted to tonight,” Eernisse stated. “That would be something we want to sharpen up here going into the future.”
The Tommies wiped clean up their play after the second one length, handiest visiting the penalty field thrice within the ultimate length.
“We talked about paying a price to win a game–learning to win at this level,” Blasi stated. “Sometimes you have to go through adversity, and sometimes you have to deal with things that you don’t want to deal with.”
A Tommie persistent play gave the offense an opportunity to stage the ranking and first-year heart Luc Laylin capitalized, scoring two mins into the 3rd length to tie the sport. The goal used to be assisted via sophomore defender Grant Docter and Byers.
The Tommies will face the United States Hockey National Team Development Program at St. Thomas Ice Arena at 7 p.m. Friday prior to touring to Pennsylvania to tackle Penn State.
“We are going to see the best 18-year-olds in the country and these guys fly around and have nothing to lose,” Blasi stated. “It’ll challenge us to play defense and be responsible with our roles, and it’ll prepare us for Penn State.”
Natalie Hoepner may also be reached at hoep8497@stthomas.edu.