University of St. Thomas Athletics
Saturday, January 11
Mendota Heights, Minn.
6:07 p.m. Central
8-10-4, 5-6-3
4
vs
3
Ferris State
6-14-2, 5-9-0
1
2
3
F
Ferris St.
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1
1
3
St. Thomas (MN)
1
1
2
4
Photo by: Kylie Macziewski
Men’s Hockey wins fourth consecutive with third period comeback
1/11/2025 10:52:00 PM | Men's Hockey
Four goals from four players for the Tommies’ largest win streak of the season, four games
MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. – St. Thomas Men's Hockey (8-10-4 overall, 5-6-3 CCHA) won its fourth consecutive game in comeback fashion in a 4-3 game against the Ferris State Bulldogs (6-14-2 overall, 5-9-0 CCHA) on Saturday night at Saint Thomas Ice Arena.
Liam Malmquist scored and added an assist to extend his multi-point streak to four games. Cooper Gay scored his team-leading 11th goal. Lucas Wahlin tied the game with under 10 minutes to play for the second time in three games and Jake Braccini scored his first career game-winning goal.
Recap
Both teams knew coming into game two that it would not be a repeat of the previous night's affair, and they were correct. By the time Ferris State scored Saturday's first goal at 9:55, the score was already 3-2 the night before.
The Tommies had to battle, and battle they did. Following some sustained pressure and a shot on goal, Ethan Gauer played the puck from the blue line to his line-mate Lucas Wahlin. The Tommie captain spun his body away from the net in the high slot and put a shot toward the goal. Liam Malmquist was waiting on the backdoor for the tip-in goal, his fourth of the series.
The period ended as even as possible, tied 1-1 on the scoreboard and 8-8 in the shots-on-goal department. St. Thomas had one opportunity on the power play but did not score.
The Purple were given their second chance with a man advantage but 36 seconds into their power play allowed a shorthanded goal at 9:39. It was the first shorthanded goal allowed by the Tommies since the CCHA quarterfinals against Lake State last season.
In similar fashion to the first period, the Toms were quick to answer. The third time was the charm for the power play unit when Cooper Gay scored at 12:30. Gay recovered a shot from Ryan O'Neill and pushed the puck over the goal line from just outside the crease. Wahlin also assisted on the play.
Like clockwork, Ferris State retook the lead in the third period. This time it was just 56 seconds into the frame and on the power play after Chase Foley was called for cross-checking with seven seconds left in the second. The Bulldogs held onto their lead for nearly 15 minutes, but the comeback Tommies did not quit.
St. Thomas' top line pounced on the FSU back-check with a clean breakout stretch pass from Ethan Gauer to Liam Malmquist. Malmquist gained the blue line on the left side before placing a perfect saucer pass onto the stick of Lucas Wahlin. The Tommie captain went five-hole on the Bulldog netminder to tie the contest at 15:14.
A slashing penalty at 16:20 gave the CCHA's best power play another chance late in the game and they took advantage. The Tommies placed four shots on net before Luc Laylin shot a puck off the shin guard of a Ferris State forward. Jake Braccini picked up possession of the puck on the rebound and before the defense could react, ripped a snap shot top shelf for the game-winner at 17:27.
Jake Sibell made three saves in the final minute while the Bulldogs opted for an extra attacker. Overall, the junior netminder recorded his third straight victory with 23 saves on 26 shots.
Up Next
St. Thomas heads back on the road for a key conference matchup with the Lake Superior State Lakers (9-12-1, 7-7-0) in Sault Ste. Marie at Taffy Abel Arena. The Lakers split with Michigan Tech this weekend after being swept by Bowling Green at home to start the new year. They are 1-5 in their last six, the Tommies are 5-1.
Liam Malmquist scored and added an assist to extend his multi-point streak to four games. Cooper Gay scored his team-leading 11th goal. Lucas Wahlin tied the game with under 10 minutes to play for the second time in three games and Jake Braccini scored his first career game-winning goal.
Recap
Both teams knew coming into game two that it would not be a repeat of the previous night's affair, and they were correct. By the time Ferris State scored Saturday's first goal at 9:55, the score was already 3-2 the night before.
The Tommies had to battle, and battle they did. Following some sustained pressure and a shot on goal, Ethan Gauer played the puck from the blue line to his line-mate Lucas Wahlin. The Tommie captain spun his body away from the net in the high slot and put a shot toward the goal. Liam Malmquist was waiting on the backdoor for the tip-in goal, his fourth of the series.
The period ended as even as possible, tied 1-1 on the scoreboard and 8-8 in the shots-on-goal department. St. Thomas had one opportunity on the power play but did not score.
The Purple were given their second chance with a man advantage but 36 seconds into their power play allowed a shorthanded goal at 9:39. It was the first shorthanded goal allowed by the Tommies since the CCHA quarterfinals against Lake State last season.
In similar fashion to the first period, the Toms were quick to answer. The third time was the charm for the power play unit when Cooper Gay scored at 12:30. Gay recovered a shot from Ryan O'Neill and pushed the puck over the goal line from just outside the crease. Wahlin also assisted on the play.
Like clockwork, Ferris State retook the lead in the third period. This time it was just 56 seconds into the frame and on the power play after Chase Foley was called for cross-checking with seven seconds left in the second. The Bulldogs held onto their lead for nearly 15 minutes, but the comeback Tommies did not quit.
St. Thomas' top line pounced on the FSU back-check with a clean breakout stretch pass from Ethan Gauer to Liam Malmquist. Malmquist gained the blue line on the left side before placing a perfect saucer pass onto the stick of Lucas Wahlin. The Tommie captain went five-hole on the Bulldog netminder to tie the contest at 15:14.
A slashing penalty at 16:20 gave the CCHA's best power play another chance late in the game and they took advantage. The Tommies placed four shots on net before Luc Laylin shot a puck off the shin guard of a Ferris State forward. Jake Braccini picked up possession of the puck on the rebound and before the defense could react, ripped a snap shot top shelf for the game-winner at 17:27.
Jake Sibell made three saves in the final minute while the Bulldogs opted for an extra attacker. Overall, the junior netminder recorded his third straight victory with 23 saves on 26 shots.
Up Next
St. Thomas heads back on the road for a key conference matchup with the Lake Superior State Lakers (9-12-1, 7-7-0) in Sault Ste. Marie at Taffy Abel Arena. The Lakers split with Michigan Tech this weekend after being swept by Bowling Green at home to start the new year. They are 1-5 in their last six, the Tommies are 5-1.
Team Stats
FSU
UST
Shots
26
25
PPG
1
2
SHG
1
0
Penalties
4
2
Penalty Mins
8
4
Faceoffs Won
35
35
Game Leaders
Skaters
+/-
2
Goals
1
Sh
6
A
2
+/-
2
Goals
1
Sh
3
A
1
+/-
2
Goals
0
Sh
0
A
2
+/-
0
Goals
1
Sh
3
A
0
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's HockeyF
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