Game Summary

WINONA, Minn. — With their dreams of a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference playoff berth shattered by a 5-3 loss at Bethel on Friday, the Saint Mary's University men's hockey team could have easily mailed in their performance in Saturday's season-finale against the Royals, right?

Try telling that to Tim McNamara (Hastings, Minn.) and the rest of the Cardinals.

With nothing to play for but pride, the Cardinals poured their hearts and souls into Saturday's game at the SMU Ice Arena — and the end result was something to remember.

Trailing by two goals heading into the third period, McNamara scored twice in the game's final 20 minutes, then looked on as Adam Gill (Rochester, Minn.) netted the game-winner with three seconds remaining in overtime to give the Cardinals a 3-2 win at the SMU Ice Arena.

"I can't say enough about the character of this team," said SMU coach Don Olson. "To come out and play the way we did — after losing a heartbreaker like (Friday's 5-3 loss) — it just goes to show you how special this group of guys is.

"For our seniors, this was the ultimate reward for the unbelievable contributions they have made to this program — to end their collegiate careers with an overtime win like that, you couldn't script it any better," continued Olson. "I couldn't be prouder of a group of guys."

After starting the season with 13 losses in their first 16 games, the Cardinals turned their season around with a month-long run that included six straight wins — sweeps over Concordia, Hamline and St. Olaf — that catapulted SMU right back into the playoff chase.

Heading into Friday's opener against the Royals, the Cardinals were two wins away from earning the fifth and final spot in the MIAC tournament.

The Royals, however, scored twice in both the first and second periods en route to a 5-3 win that officially ended SMU's playoff run.

But it didn't end the Cardinals' season — or their desire to send their nine graduating seniors off on a winning note.

After spotting the Royals a two-goal lead, McNamara took matters into his own hands, scoring the first of his two goals three minutes into the third period. The SMU senior, who finished the year with career-highs in all three offensive categories, then knotted things up — and eventually forced overtime — with his 10th goal of the season at the 12:45 mark.

Gill then completed the Cardinals' miraculous season-ending comeback in overtime. Needing two points to jump ahead of Gustavus into the No. 4 spot in the playoff chase, the Royals were forced to pull their goalie with a minute to go in the OT, and Gill picked up a loose puck at center ice and feathered a shot into the open net for his team-leading 15th goal of the season.

"This team never gave up — not matter what adversity we faced, we just stuck together and battled through it," said Olson, whose team suffered through losing streaks of five and seven games before winning seven of their last eight. "It's been an interesting journey — with a very special end."