Game Summary

WINONA, Minn. — In a college hockey season that last nearly five months, every player is going to have an off night.

In fact, somewhere along the way, it's almost expected.

Friday evening at the SMU Ice Arena, the Saint Mary's University men's hockey team had its off night — all 20 players.

At the same time.

The Cardinals started slow and never got out of first gear as Gustavus erupted for three goals in the second period and four more in the third en route to an 8-1 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference win.

"I would have never imagined that in a millions years," said SMU coach Don Olson of the loss, SMU's most lopsided defeat since a 10-1 drubbing at the hands of St. Thomas on Feb. 11, 2000. "We were coming off a series (vs. St. John's) in which we lost two games, but played fairly well.

"I honestly expected us to come home, in front of our own fans, and really play well."

Just how bad was it?

SMU managed a season-low 18 shots on goal — including just three in the second period, when the Cardinals were outshot 15-3 and outscored 3-1 — and were shut out on the powerplay, where they managed just one shot in six powerplay opportunities.

"Give Gustavus credit, they played very well," said Olson. "We just were not connected mentally from the start. Gustavus came out, built a little momentum early and before you knew it, it looked like we were playing against 20 All-Americans, while we couldn't make a five-foot pass to save our lives."

Gustavus came out flying from the start, peppering SMU goalie Ryne Ess (Eden Prairie, Minn.) with 16 first-period shots, but had just a Keith Detlefsen powerplay goal midway through the period to show for their efforts.

Unfortunately for the Cardinals that first period — in which they were outshot 16-7 — was their best of the night.

Gustavus tallied two more powerplay goals among their three second-period tallies, then erupted for four third-period goals — all four in the first 4:19 of the period and all four coming on GAC's first six shots.

Adam Gill (Rochester, Minn.) accounted for SMU's lone goal, netting his second of the season at the 3:11 mark of the third period.

"It's disappointing," said Olson. "We were a better team than we showed tonight, that's for sure. I can't explain it — everyone's entitled to an off night, but you can't have all 20 players 'off' on the same night."