Box Score | Photos (Brace Hemmelgarn)
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Thirteen of Saint John’s 18 skaters recorded a point as the host Johnnies defeated Concordia-Moorhead 7-2 on Saturday, Jan. 30, in St. Cloud.
The Johnnies (6-9-3, 2-6-1 MIAC) peppered Cobber goaltender Jacob Vatnsdal, who entered the contest with a 2.94 GAA and a .910 save percentage, for seven goals on 28 shots.
SJU jumped out to a 4-0 first-period lead thanks to goals from senior Chris Murray (Chanhassen, Minn.), sophomore Nick Roscoe (Eau Claire, Wis.), sophomore Grant Ellena (Coon Rapids, Minn.) and senior Dylan Decker (Park City, Utah). Roscoe’s tally was the first of his career.
Nick Thielen cut the deficit to 4-1 with his 10th goal of the season in the second period for Concordia (5-12-3, 4-4-3) before the Johnnies answered with three straight goals in the third frame.
Sophomore Conor Rooney (Stillwater, Minn.) scored the first of two goals on the night 3:11 into the period, while junior James Olmscheid (St. Cloud, Minn.) added his first career goal a minute later.
Murray (1g/2a) and freshman Jascha Pettit (three assists; Wadena, Minn.) led SJU with three points apiece.
Senior Stu Van Ess (Kewaskum, Wis.) had a stellar night in goal, stopping 37 of the 39 shots he faced, including 15 saves on the power play. He now leads the MIAC (conference games only) in both save percentage (.924) and GAA (2.14).
The Johnnies have now won 20 of the last 22 meetings and have scored four or more goals in 13 of the last 17 games against the Cobbers.
SJU and Concordia square-off again at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud.