University of St. Thomas Athletics
Friday, January 31
Mankato, Minn. / Mayo Clinic HSEC
7:07 p.m. Central
11-11-5, 8-7-4
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Minnesota State
17-8-2, 12-5-2
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F
St. Thomas (MN)
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Minnesota St.
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Tommies down #15 Mavericks in thriller
1/31/2025 10:37:00 PM | Men's Hockey
After trailing most of the game, Men’s Hockey scores three in come-from-behind fashion
MANKATO, Minn. – St. Thomas Men's Hockey (11-11-5 overall, 8-7-4 CCHA) defeated #15 Minnesota State (17-8-2, 12-5-2) with three goals in the third period on Friday night at Mayo Clinic Health Services Event Center in front of nearly 4,700 Maverick fans. It was the Tommies' first ranked win since October 7, 2023 and first ranked win in regulation since January 14, 2023.
The Mavericks scored one minute and three seconds into the game and held the lead until Jake Braccini scored his career-best 7th of the season to kick off a three-goal third. Mankato answered to retake the lead two minutes later before the Toms added two goals in 13 seconds from Caige Sterzer and Cooper Gay. Aaron Trotter made 34 saves on 36 shots and recorded the 2000th save of his career.
Recap
Minnesota State got its home crowd into the game early with a goal on their second shot at 1:08. The Mavericks held some pressure in the zone and played the puck from below the goal line and found Evan Murr on the right-side circle for a one-time shot over the left shoulder of Aaron Trotter.
The Mavericks scored again at 7:34 but after video review the officials overturned the call on the ice. The puck never crossed the goal line after ricocheting off the crossbar. Shortly after the review, the Tommies were granted their first power play for a MSU high sticking minor. The Purple power play sustained pressure with two high quality shots on goal but no goals.
The final 10 plus minutes were a defensive showcase with quality play from both netminders. The first period concluded with a one goal Minnesota State lead. The Mavericks pepper Trotter with 14 shots on goal and the Toms gave Alex Tracy work with 13 shots on frame. Mankato crushed in the faceoff category with 13 wins on 19 draws.
St. Thomas' power play got a very early chance in the second period after a Maverick tripping penalty on the opening faceoff. The Toms placed just one shot on goal with little pressure applied to the Maverick's netminder, Tracy.
On two occasions in the second the Toms placed a barrage of shots in a short period of time with multiple high danger chances to no avail. St. Thomas outshot Minnesota State 11-9 in the period but remained down a goal at the second period buzzer.
Jake Braccini got the third period off to a great start for the Tommies with his career-best seventh goal of the season to finally best Tracy at 7:14. Caige Sterzer dished the puck from below the goal line to find an unmarked Braccini in the slot. Just over a minute later, Ray Christy was called for goaltender interference at 8:28 and the Mavs restored their lead at 9:37.
The Tommies' "second line" struck for a second and third time at 13:32 and 13:45 to take the lead and stun the home crowd. Caige Sterzer took a free puck on the right half wall and cut through two defenders toward the crease and with a final push of the puck, fed it through the legs of Tracy. 13 seconds later, Cooper Gay deflected a Mason Poolman shot through traffic and into the back of the net. Ethan Elias also assisted on Gay's team-leading 14th of the season.
Aaron Trotter and the defense held on during the final minute of 6-on-5 play. The Mavericks outshot the Tommies 36-31 and won a stagger 35 of the 52 face-offs.
Up Next
St. Thomas wraps up its regular season series with the Minnesota State Mavericks tomorrow night at 6:07 p.m. at Saint Thomas Ice Arena in Mendota Heights.
The Mavericks scored one minute and three seconds into the game and held the lead until Jake Braccini scored his career-best 7th of the season to kick off a three-goal third. Mankato answered to retake the lead two minutes later before the Toms added two goals in 13 seconds from Caige Sterzer and Cooper Gay. Aaron Trotter made 34 saves on 36 shots and recorded the 2000th save of his career.
Recap
Minnesota State got its home crowd into the game early with a goal on their second shot at 1:08. The Mavericks held some pressure in the zone and played the puck from below the goal line and found Evan Murr on the right-side circle for a one-time shot over the left shoulder of Aaron Trotter.
The Mavericks scored again at 7:34 but after video review the officials overturned the call on the ice. The puck never crossed the goal line after ricocheting off the crossbar. Shortly after the review, the Tommies were granted their first power play for a MSU high sticking minor. The Purple power play sustained pressure with two high quality shots on goal but no goals.
The final 10 plus minutes were a defensive showcase with quality play from both netminders. The first period concluded with a one goal Minnesota State lead. The Mavericks pepper Trotter with 14 shots on goal and the Toms gave Alex Tracy work with 13 shots on frame. Mankato crushed in the faceoff category with 13 wins on 19 draws.
St. Thomas' power play got a very early chance in the second period after a Maverick tripping penalty on the opening faceoff. The Toms placed just one shot on goal with little pressure applied to the Maverick's netminder, Tracy.
On two occasions in the second the Toms placed a barrage of shots in a short period of time with multiple high danger chances to no avail. St. Thomas outshot Minnesota State 11-9 in the period but remained down a goal at the second period buzzer.
Jake Braccini got the third period off to a great start for the Tommies with his career-best seventh goal of the season to finally best Tracy at 7:14. Caige Sterzer dished the puck from below the goal line to find an unmarked Braccini in the slot. Just over a minute later, Ray Christy was called for goaltender interference at 8:28 and the Mavs restored their lead at 9:37.
The Tommies' "second line" struck for a second and third time at 13:32 and 13:45 to take the lead and stun the home crowd. Caige Sterzer took a free puck on the right half wall and cut through two defenders toward the crease and with a final push of the puck, fed it through the legs of Tracy. 13 seconds later, Cooper Gay deflected a Mason Poolman shot through traffic and into the back of the net. Ethan Elias also assisted on Gay's team-leading 14th of the season.
Aaron Trotter and the defense held on during the final minute of 6-on-5 play. The Mavericks outshot the Tommies 36-31 and won a stagger 35 of the 52 face-offs.
Up Next
St. Thomas wraps up its regular season series with the Minnesota State Mavericks tomorrow night at 6:07 p.m. at Saint Thomas Ice Arena in Mendota Heights.
Team Stats
UST
MSU
Shots
30
36
PPG
0
1
SHG
0
0
Penalties
1
2
Penalty Mins
2
4
Faceoffs Won
17
35
Game Leaders
Skaters
+/-
1
Goals
1
Sh
3
A
1
+/-
2
Goals
1
Sh
2
A
1
+/-
1
Goals
1
Sh
2
A
0
+/-
3
Goals
0
Sh
1
A
1
Players Mentioned
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