WINONA, Minn. — For the Saint Mary's University men's hockey team, post-season honors proved to be as easy as 1-2-3.
 
One: Forward Colin Tushie (Prior Lake, Minn.).
 
Two: Defenseman Noah Kiemel (Colorado Springs, Colo.).
 
Three: Goalie A.J. Ruskowski (Traverse City, Mich.).
 
The Cardinal trio all played a significant role in the Cardinals' late-season push into the conference post-season tournament — and all three were rewarded handsomely for their efforts, being named All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference when the league office announced its post-season awards on Thursday.
 
SMU senior Kellen Tharaldson (Wausau, Wis.) also earned a bit of post-season recognition, being named to the MIAC All-Playoff Team.
 
Ruskowski was a literal brick wall between the pipes for Cardinals, compiling a 2.74 goals-against-average and .932 save percentage in 11 conference appearances. The junior netminder, who totaled 371 saves in MIAC play — including a season- and career-high 48 saves against St. Scholastica on Feb. 9 — closed out the regular season with 81- and 90-save two-game efforts against St. Scholastica and Concordia in helping SMU lock up the No. 4 seed in the MIAC Playoffs.
 
Overall, Ruskowski closed out the year with a 3.26 GAA and .918 save percentage in 15 appearances, stopping 506 shots, including 30 or more in all 14 of his starts.
 
While Ruskowski was doing his part at one end of the ice, Tushie was doing his at the other — while Kiemel made his presence felt at both ends.
 
 Tushie appeared in all 16 conference games, leading the team in both goals (8) and points (13), while sharing the team lead in assists with five. The sophomore scored in six of SMU's 16 games, including two-goal efforts against both Gustavus and Saint John's, while netting his first collegiate hat trick against St. Olaf on Jan. 12. In 26 games overall, Tushie racked up 18 points, scoring 10 times and chipping in 18 assists
 
Kiemel proved to be a jack of all trades for the Cardinals this season, teaming with Ruskowski to help spearhead a defense that boasted a 2.88 GAA and .922 save percentage, while also doing his part at the offensive end, scoring four goals and adding a pair of assists for six points. Kiemel closed out the season appearing in 23 games overall, scoring five goals and adding a pair of assists for seven points.
 
The team's captain, Tharaldson was a true force for the Cardinals in their MIAC Playoff loss to eventual tournament champion St. Olaf, blocking seven Ole shots, while collecting a pair of shots on goal in the 3-0 SMU setback.