WINONA, Minn. – On Friday night, the Cardinal men's hockey team opened up the season hosting Lake Forest College for their first game of the season. The first period woes hurt the Cardinals late as they fell 5-4.
 
The first five minutes of action consistent of back and forth action between the two teams until at the seventh minute, the Foresters opened up the action with a put back shot to take the first lead. Laudon Poellinger attempted to get that get back goal on the other end but missed wide. Lake Forest struck again at the ninth minute of play to stretch the lead to too.
 
The Cardinals could not get the puck away from the front of their own net as they gave up one more goal before the end of the first period.
 
Looking to get something going, the Cardinals took the first two shots on goal in the second period and landed the second shot at the fourth minute. Laudon Poellinger netted the first of the game for the team off a long shot from Cole Mickel that snuck past the Forester goalie. 

Not letting the Cardinals get in rhythm, Lake Forest turned around and scored their fourth goal of the game off a deflection in front of their own net taking a 4-1 lead at the 12th minute of the second period.

The Cardinals took the next four shots on goal. Neither team finding the back of the net the rest of the period.

The Cardinals had a lot of ground to make up as they were down three going into the third period. They never backed down, Saint Mary's led the charge for a majority of the first ten minutes of action winning each face off and out shooting Lake Forest by eight shots. That was until a critical mistake costed the Cardinals another goal extending the Foresters Lead, 5-1. 

Scoreboard aside, the Cardinals were not letting up. The Pointers landed a power play and Tommy Wright netted his first career goal with eight minutes remaining of the game. Energy began to kick in for the men and took advantage of the extended power play and Gabe Potyk passed the puck off to Clay Allen, straight down center ice, who took a shot from far and it flew past the goalie and to into the back of the net. The Cardinals creeping back, down 5-3 with five minutes remaining.

Saint Mary's held off the Foresters as they were in control of each of the next few shots. The Cardinals called a timeout to discuss their game play going further and pulled their goalie, AJ Ruskowski, with three minutes remaining as they were on fire with an extra skater. 13 seconds remained in the game and a late Colin Tushie goal erupted the Saint Mary's crowed as something remarkable was happening infront of their eyes. Tushies goal was ping-ponged from Poellinger to Allen and found his stick for the late goal putting them down one. 

Only seconds remained for the Cardinals attempt to tie the game, but it went by too quickly and the Cardinals dropped their home opener to the Foresters despite the late tries. 

Ruskowski tallied 20 saves.

The Cardinals are back in action tomorrow as they host Lake Forest for the second time at 4 p.m. It will be the annual Ice Breaker Day for the programs with lots of fun activities throughout the day.