ST. PETER, Minn. – After a long, two-week layoff like the Saint Mary's University men's hockey team was coming off, coach Ryan Egan knew the importance of getting off to a fast start Tuesday night against Gustavus.
 
And a fast start there was — for the Gusties.
 
Gustavus scored two goals in the game's first eight minutes, leaving the Cardinals playing catch-up all night.
 
Which Saint Mary's finally did, pulling even with the Gusties twice in the third period — including knotting the game at 4-4 on Andrew Froese's (Traverse City, Mich.) second goal of the game with less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation.
 
In fact, the Cardinals never led in the Minnesota intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup — until Froese netted goal No. 3 of the game, that is.
 
Froese completed his first collegiate hat trick 1:27 into overtime, lifting the Cardinals to a 5-4 victory at Don Roberts Ice Rink — and pushing their season-opening winning streak to four straight.
 
The Gusties did not waste any time grabbing the momentum, scoring just 3:42 into the first period on a goal by Toby Sengvongxay . Four minutes later, GAC made it 2-0, as Connor Clemons beat Al Rogers (North Haven, Conn.) for his xxth goal of the season.
 
Saint Mary's cut the deficit to one twice in the second period — the first time on Froese's first goal of the game — and, after falling behind 3-1 on a goal by Dylan Geist just three minutes later, Tommy Stang (Mendota Heights, Minn.) made it a 3-2 game with his second of the year at 14:14.
 
The Cardinals came out flying to open the third period, and they were rewarded for their efforts, as Bud Winter (St. Louis, Mo.) scored just 28 seconds in to pull SMU even, 3-3.
 
The deadlock lasted all of 53 seconds, however, as Gustavus answered Winter's tally with one of its own — this one off the stick of Brendan Elliott — to regain the lead, 4-3.
 
Setting up Froese's late-game heroics.
 
Saint Mary's held a 29-27 advantage in shots on goal, with Rogers finishing with 23 saves, while GAC's Robbie Goor recording 24 saves.
 
Saint Mary's (2-0-0 MIAC, 4-0-0 overall) is back in action this weekend with a pair of home games. The Cardinals host Augsburg in a 7:30 p.m. contest at the Saint Mary's Ice Arena on Friday, before entertaining St. Thomas in a 7 p.m. matchup the following evening.