Gustavus (4-5-1) netted the first two goals of the game, before Williams (2-2) rallied to tie the contest with two goals in the third period. Gustavus re-grouped and got a game-winner from Tyler Lapic with just over five minutes to play and then benefitted from an empty netter in the final seconds to register the win.        

 

Over the first eight minutes the Gusties carried the play to the Ephs.

 

Peter Mistretta sent Eric Rubino in on goal but Gustie goalie Patrick Sullivan kicked Rubino's attempt wide at the last moment.

 

Just over 11 minutes in Zach May tested Ephs' goaltender Sean Dougherty, who was up to the task with a save that found him sliding to his right to get a pad on the shot.

 

Gustavus was not to be denied, however, and they netted the first goal of the game at 11:30 when Ryan Johnson slid the puck under the pads of Dougherty. Credited with assists on the Johnson goal were Darren Lapic and Alex Gallen.

 

Gustavus out shot the Ephs in the first 20 minutes of play by one, 11-10.

 

At 6:40 in the second, Dane Erickson won the puck for Gustavus on a forecheck along the half boards on Dougherty's left. Erickson then hit Andy Pearson in front with a quick hard pass that Pearson was able to re-direct past Dougherty to put the Gusties up 2-0.

 

Shots in the second period favored Gustavus 11-9 and giving the Gusties a 22-19 advantage over the first two periods.

 

The Ephs sliced the Gustavus lead in half early in the third period when Evan Dugdale scored from in front when Mark Lyons and Cody Skinner worked the puck out of the corner.

 

At 8:55 in, Nick Anderson carried the puck over the blueline out to the right of Sullivan and was advancing with Rubino. Anderson showed great patience and waited to lead Rubino with a pass. Rubino roofed the puck into the upper left side of the goal to tie the contest.

 

With 5:19 remaining in the period Tyler Lapic re-directed a shot from the blueline by Gallen who was set up by Ryan Johnson past Dougherty to give Gustavus a 3-2 lead. An empty netter made it 4-2.

 

Shots on the night favored Gustavus 30-29. Dougherty made 27 saves, while Sullivan made 27 in collecting the win.