WINONA, Minn. - After a month off, the Saint Mary's men's hockey team (6-3-1) returned home to kick off 2025. They faced the Lawrence Vikings (3-9-2) on Saturday night, securing a 3-2 victory to begin the year with a six-game win streak.
 
The Cardinals got off to a slow start, being outshot by the Vikings during the first ten minutes of play. Saint Mary's earned the game's first power play, but it was the Vikings who struck first, scoring the opening goal at the 10-minute mark to take the lead.
 
Quickly, the Cardinals found their rhythm, earning their second power play opportunity and gaining momentum. With a power play conversion dangerous to ignore—since they led the league with a .389 power play percentage—Nathan Solis capitalized, scoring the Cardinals first goal. He was assisted by Cole Mickel and Joona Juntunen, tying the game with eight minutes remaining.
 
It seemed like all Saint Mary's to start the second period, as they limited the Vikings to just four shots in the first four minutes of play. Both teams had a power play opportunity, but neither was able to capitalize on their chances. The score remained tied as the teams headed into the final period of play.
 
To open what was an exciting third period was the Vikings who regained the lead just three minutes in, scoring on a shot that caught the Cardinals off guard. But Saint Mary's quickly flipped a switch. The Vikings grew increasingly aggressive, sending two players to the penalty box on back-to-back infractions, and the Cardinals seized the opportunity, knowing it was time to capitalize.
 
Colin Tushie buried the game-tying goal, 2-2, with a perfectly placed shot from a pass by Mickel, marking Tushie's first goal of the game and Mickel's second assist. 
 
Less than a minute later, Solis added his second goal of the game—and the game-winner—putting the Cardinals ahead 3-2. It was a similar sequence to his first goal, with assists from Juntunen and Mickel. The Cardinals held off the Vikings' empty-net push and extra skater, securing the victory to kick off 2025 with a home win.
 
The Cardinals face a quick turnaround, heading on the road to play the University of Dubuque for a 3 p.m. game on Tuesday, January 7th.