Box Score |
Photos (John Biasi)
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Saint John’s University senior forward
Karl Gilbert (Hermantown, Minn.) scored a natural hat trick (three consecutive goals) and senior goaltender
Stu Van Ess (Kewaskum, Wis.) made 22 saves to record his first career win and shutout as the Johnnies defeated Saint Mary’s 4-0 on Saturday, Oct. 31.
The game, a non-conference matchup, was the season opener for SJU and the first of three games at the MIAC Showcase in Bloomington.
Gilbert scored his first two goals on the power play; the first from juniors
Brent Brodersen (Shakopee, Minn.) and
Mike Wallgren (Oakdale, Minn.) 12:43 into the first period, and the second from Wallgren and sophomore
Grant Ellena (Coon Rapids, Minn.) 47 seconds into the second period. Gilbert added his third goal, against from Ellena and Wallgren, at the 6:18 mark of the second frame.
Senior
Gabriel Harren (Warroad, Minn.) added a power-play goal of his own 4:01 later to end the scoring at 4-0 in favor of the Johnnies. Freshmen
Joe Harren (Warroad, Minn.) and
Michael Palmiscno (East Grand Forks, Minn.) posted their first career points with assists on the scoring play.
Gilbert’s hat trick was the first for a Johnnie since Harren netted three in SJU’s 5-1 win against Gustavus Adolphus on Dec. 12, 2007. Coincidentally, Harren’s hat trick was a pure hat trick (three consecutive goals in the same period) and Gilbert ended the scoring with a power-play goal.
Van Ess’ shutout was the first for SJU since Vince Wheeler’s 16-save performance in the 6-0 win against Augsburg on Jan. 26, 2008.
The Johnnies were 3-for-7 on the power play in the contest. SJU, which led the MIAC in penalty kill last season, started the 2009-10 campaign on the right foot by killing all seven power-play opportunities for Saint Mary’s (0-2, 0-0 MIAC).
SJU returns to action Sunday, Nov. 1, in the final game of the MIAC Showcase against St. Thomas (1-0, 0-0 MIAC). The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Bloomington Ice Garden. The Tommies defeated Saint Mary’s 4-2 Friday night.