Tommie first-year forward Attila Lippai gains control of the puck in the second period. Lippai recorded his first career goal in the first period. (Sydney Baxter/The Crest) 
Tommie sophomore goaltender Carsen Musser and Huskies junior goaltender James Gray shake hands at the end of game.(Sydney Baxter/The Crest) 
A stick flies in the air during the third period as first-year goaltender Will Ingemann guards the net from Huskies junior forward Tyson Gross. (Sydney Baxter/The Crest)
The St. Thomas men’s hockey team entered Tuesday night without a win at the Anderson Arena, but the team can now celebrate their first victory at the venue.
The Tommies (4-5-1, 1-1-0 CCHA) defeated St. Cloud State 3-1, sweeping the season series against their future conference opponent. Senior forward Lucas Wahlin reached 100 points, the first Tommie to do so in the Division I era.
“He’s an amazing player. There’s a reason why he’s a third year captain and has produced as much as he has,” Graduate forward Alex Gaffney said.
Wahlin said he couldn’t have done it without his teammates, current and past ones.
“You look back at all the memories with all the different guys, there’s been so many talented players running through this program that I’ve played with, as well, and it’s just not me that’s done that. I think it’s a great award, I mean Gaff helped me a lot tonight, he’s been a great producer for this squad so far and there’s a lot of guys in the past I can thank, as well,” Wahlin said.
Wahlin reached the feat on a breakaway late in the second period, scorching a shot just above St. Cloud goaltender Patriks Berzins’ catcher. Gaffney stretched a pass from the Tommies defensive zone, finding Wahlin wide open as he crossed the Huskies’ blue line. The Tommies scored three straight goals to overcome an early first period goal by St. Cloud State (6-5-0, 1-3-0 NCHC).
Wahlin and Gaffney combined for five points. Halfway through the second period, it was Wahlin who assisted Gaffney. Wahlin kicked the puck with his left skate to gain possession after a faceoff. Gaffney hit a one-timer from the high slot to give the Tommies a 2-1 lead.
“I knew I had time and space, I got my head up and Lucas was flying through the neutral zone, and I was fortunate enough to hit him,” Gaffney said.
Gaffney leads the team with 15 points and is the top goal scorer with seven. He transferred from Harvard after only playing four games last season. Gaffney, similar to Wahlin, thanked his current teammates, in this case, for the seamless transition with his new squad.
Late in the first period, first-year forward Attila Lippai scored his first collegiate goal. The Tommies rushed the Huskies, outnumbering them 3-to-1 as UST approached the net. Senior forward Charlie Schoen drove the puck just in front of the crease and passed it to Lippai to tie the game 1-1.
The Tommies defended their net well despite facing a nationally-recognized offense. St. Cloud’s .549 faceoff percentage ranks ninth in the NCAA, and their .346 power play percentage is second.
“I think all five guys on the ice being on the same page and making sure you’re communicating and you’re in the right spots, and when you’re in the right spots and you’re connected it’s a little bit easier to break the puck out, it’s a little bit easier to attack. St. Cloud is a really good hockey team. Their forwards are dynamic and they’re gonna get their chances but you have to limit them, and I thought we did that tonight,” coach Rico Blasi said.
The Tommies are coming off a bye week and hadn’t played in over a week. St. Thomas faced No. 18 Minnesota State on Halloween weekend and split the series. The Mavericks won in St. Paul on Oct. 31, and St. Thomas won on the road Nov.1.
St. Thomas completed their non-conference schedule and will only face CCHA opponents the rest of the regular season. The Tommies are set to face Augustana at Midco Arena on Nov. 15.
Juan Del Valle can be reached at delv9625@stthomas.edu.
