University of St. Thomas Athletics
Friday, October 23
St. Paul, Minn.
7:00 p.m. CT
1-2-0, 0-1-0
1
vs
3
Minnesota State
1-4-0, 1-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota St. | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| St. Thomas (MN) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
10/23/2026 11:03:00 PM | Men's Hockey
Tommies fall 3-1 to Minnesota State
ST. PAUL, Minn. — St. Thomas men's hockey (1-2-0) outshot the Minnesota State Mavericks (1-4-0) 52-21 but fell 3-1 in the non-conference series opener Friday night at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena. The Tommies lost the special teams battle, going 1-for-8 on the power play while allowing two power-play goals on the other end.
Two early Minnesota State penalties gave the Tommies power-play time, and Lucas Van Vliet converted at 4:13 on assists from Chase Cheslock and Nathan Pilling to give St. Thomas a 1-0 lead. The one-timer was Van Vliet's second goal in as many games.
Minnesota State answered on its own power play at 7:41, when Sam Court scored on assists from Mason Kraft and Liam Watkins to tie the game 1-1. The Tommies continued to create chances through the middle and late stages of the first period, putting 23 shots on frame. St. Thomas went back on the power play with 33 seconds left after a Minnesota State tripping penalty, but the period ended tied 1-1.
The Tommies began the second period with a carryover power play and generated a pair of chances at the outset before Minnesota State returned to full strength at 18:33. Late penalties created more special teams action, with the Tommies getting looks from Jakub Altrichter, Cheslock and Pilling after Justin Kipkie's interference penalty expired. Minnesota State then broke through on a Cheslock cross-checking penalty, as Court scored a power-play goal on a Watkins assist with 40 seconds left to send the Tommies into the intermission trailing 2-1.
The Mavericks extended their lead at 12:24 of the third period on assists from Alex Zetterberg and Benincasa to make it 3-1. The Tommies pushed back through the middle of the period, generating chances against Lassi Lehti before Rylan Bonkowski was called for hooking with 7:32 left and Fin Williams followed with a tripping penalty with 5:40 to go. St. Thomas continued to press on another late power play and pulled the goalie with 1:55 remaining, but Lehti handled the late shots as Minnesota State closed out the win behind his 51-save effort.
Up Next
The Tommies look to split the non-conference series with the road half of the home-and-home against the Mavericks on Saturday at 6:07 p.m. in Mankato.
Two early Minnesota State penalties gave the Tommies power-play time, and Lucas Van Vliet converted at 4:13 on assists from Chase Cheslock and Nathan Pilling to give St. Thomas a 1-0 lead. The one-timer was Van Vliet's second goal in as many games.
Minnesota State answered on its own power play at 7:41, when Sam Court scored on assists from Mason Kraft and Liam Watkins to tie the game 1-1. The Tommies continued to create chances through the middle and late stages of the first period, putting 23 shots on frame. St. Thomas went back on the power play with 33 seconds left after a Minnesota State tripping penalty, but the period ended tied 1-1.
The Tommies began the second period with a carryover power play and generated a pair of chances at the outset before Minnesota State returned to full strength at 18:33. Late penalties created more special teams action, with the Tommies getting looks from Jakub Altrichter, Cheslock and Pilling after Justin Kipkie's interference penalty expired. Minnesota State then broke through on a Cheslock cross-checking penalty, as Court scored a power-play goal on a Watkins assist with 40 seconds left to send the Tommies into the intermission trailing 2-1.
The Mavericks extended their lead at 12:24 of the third period on assists from Alex Zetterberg and Benincasa to make it 3-1. The Tommies pushed back through the middle of the period, generating chances against Lassi Lehti before Rylan Bonkowski was called for hooking with 7:32 left and Fin Williams followed with a tripping penalty with 5:40 to go. St. Thomas continued to press on another late power play and pulled the goalie with 1:55 remaining, but Lehti handled the late shots as Minnesota State closed out the win behind his 51-save effort.
Up Next
The Tommies look to split the non-conference series with the road half of the home-and-home against the Mavericks on Saturday at 6:07 p.m. in Mankato.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Hockey
D
/ Men's Hockey
D
/ Men's Hockey
F
/ Men's Hockey
F
/ Men's HockeyTeam Stats
MSU
UST
Shots
21
52
PPG
2
1
SHG
0
0
Penalties
9
5
Penalty Mins
18
10
Faceoffs Won
32
42
Game Leaders
+/-
-1
Goals
1
Sh
9
A
0
+/-
0
Goals
0
Sh
8
A
1
+/-
-1
Goals
0
Sh
6
A
1
+/-
0
Goals
0
Sh
6
A
0
Thursday, October 08
Wednesday, October 07
Friday, September 18
Tuesday, May 19
