Game Summary

WINONA, Minn. — Finally!

After finding themselves behind the eight ball for what seems like an eternity — six games to be exact — the Saint Mary's University men's hockey team finally got the puck to bounce their way.

And the result was a streak-stopping, 4-3 victory over Gustavus Friday evening at the SMU Ice Arena.

"It seems like it's been an awfully long time since we've been rewarded for our effort with a victory," said SMU coach Don Olson, whose team snapped a six-game losing streak, and a seven-game winless streak, with the win. "We've had so many games over the last three weeks where we played very, very well — but we didn't have anything to show for our effort.

"Tonight, we played one of our best games of the season — and we have a hard-earned, much-needed win to show for it."

But it certainly wasn't easy.

After jumping out to a 3-1 advantage on Jason Fillipp's (Fox River Grove, Ill.) goal four minutes into the third period, Gustavus rallied, scoring twice 28 seconds apart midway through the period to tie the game at 3-3.

"When they tied it up, we could have very easily just packed it in and gave up," admitted Olson. "But we didn't, we kept battling and we kept working hard, that was the key. When we got up 3-1, all the momentum was on our side. But when (Gustavus) tied it at 3-3, that momentum had shifted."

But not for long.

Lenny Hofmann (Sartell, Minn.) beat Gustavus goalie Dan Melde from the slot just 57 seconds after Kyle Menken's game-tying goal, giving SMU the lead for good.

And their first conference win since a 4-2 win over Bethel on Nov. 23.

"We needed this win, no question," said Olson, whose team moved to 4-7-0 in the conference and 10-9-1 overall. "But it's just one game — we have to come back (Saturday night) with the same type of effort."