By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
ST. PETER, Minn. — Two goals proved to be more than enough for the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota men's hockey team Friday evening, as the Cardinals opened their two-game conference series against Gustavus with a 2-0 victory.
 
In fact, one goal would have sufficed.
 
One goal would be all Saint Mary's could muster in Saturday's rematch — and unfortunately for coach Bill Moore and the Cardinals, another defensive shutout was not in the cards.
 
Gustavus scored five goals — including three in the third period — as the Gusties earned a split in the teams' two-game series,  handing the Cardinals a 5-1 conference setback at the Don Roberts Ice Rink.
 
"They just wanted it more than we did tonight — they outworked us the whole game," said Moore. "We still have control of our own destiny as far as the conference playoffs go, but we need to play better than we did tonight down the stretch."

After a scoreless opening period, Gustavus broke through at 8:49, when Mason Etter beat Cardinal goalie Nick Nast (Oxnard, Calif.) for a 1-0 Gustie lead.
 
Gustavus would add a second goal — this one off the stick of Toby Sengvongxay — with just 31 seconds remaining, as the Gusties took a 2-0 lead into the locker room after 40 minutes of play.
 
The Cardinals did not waste any time clawing their way to within one, as Dylan Robertson (Alpharetta, Ga.) took a feed from Alex DiBacco (Darien, Ill.) and beating GAC goalie Robbie Goor just 1:36 into the final period.
 
That, however, would be the last time the Cardinals would light the lamp — and Gustavus was just getting started, getting two third-period goals from Tyler Ebner sandwiched around a goal by Tyler Rock, to seal the win.
 
Nast, who stopped all 28 Gustavus shots in earning his first collegiate shutout on Friday, once against finished with 28 saves Friday evening. Goor, meanwhile, stopped 24 of the Cardinals shots in goal for the Gusties.
 
The Cardinals (3-5-2 MIAC, 4-12-3 overall) return home to the Saint Mary's Ice Arena next Friday for the first game of their two-game MIAC series against Bethel. Game time is set for 7 p.m. The two teams will then head to the Schwan's Super Rink in Blaine, Minn., for Saturday's 7 p.m. rematch.