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ST. CLOUD, Minn. — It’s clear that St. Cloud State is every bit as talented this year as last year.
The Huskies are playing with more consistency this year, though, and Saturday night they were able to begin on the right track in NCHC play.
Mikey Eyssimont, Patrick Russell and Kalle Kossila all scored and goaltender Charlie Lindgren stopped 33 shots to complement another strong defensive effort and propel St. Cloud to a 3-1 victory over Miami at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.
“We were defending, and doing a good job of it,” said Huskies coach Bob Motzko.
Despite an improved all-around effort, particularly on offense, Miami was still unable to maintain early momentum in losing its fourth straight game in the Granite City.
“They were the better team [this weekend],” said RedHawks coach Enrico Blasi.
Miami struck first 12:05 into the first period when a loose puck hung in the crease beside Lindgren. Jack Roslovic found it and buried it on a soft backhand to give the RedHawks a 1-0 lead. The goal was the fifth on the year for Roslovic, and it was the first allowed at home this season for Lindgren, who had stopped the previous 78 shots he faced, but as he’s proven, he was able to weather the storm from there on out.
“We knew [Miami] wasn’t going to be happy with their play from last night,” said Lindgren.
The Huskies came to life in the second period, however, scoring three times to take a two-goal lead. Eyssimont began the onslaught with his first collegiate goal on a sharp-angle shot through the five hole of Jay Williams to tie it early in the second.
“I picked it up, protected it, spun around and just threw it on net,” said Eyssimont. “When you throw it on net, good things can happen.”
Russell gave SCSU the lead with just under four minutes left on a rebound goal, and Kossila finished off the middle frame with a beautiful individual effort. He skated into the Miami zone, weaved his way in and out of a crowd of defenders, eventually reaching the slot and going top-shelf.
Miami had no answer the rest of the way in suffering the first sweep of the season and falling to 3-4-1. Blasi and the RedHawks know they have to have a short-term memory if they have any intentions of being a factor in the star-studded NCHC.
“We gotta get back to work Monday,” said Blasi.
As for St. Cloud State, the Huskies got back on track with another fantastic series. They’ve outscored their opposition 13-1 through four home games, and now they can look forward to some time off before returning to action.
“When the byes come up, you take them and you run with them,” said Motzko. “A little conditioning, some good mental rest, and then we’ll have a strong hard push.”
