Men’s hockey trounces St. Olaf to take MIAC championship

The St. Thomas men’s hockey team poses after becoming the regular-season MIAC champions. (Photo courtesy of Taylor Smith)

The St. Thomas men’s hockey team is the regular-season MIAC champion after trouncing St. Olaf 6-0 Saturday at the Northfield Ice Arena.

The No. 1-ranked Tommies’ (13-7-5) victory is their second in a row over No. 7-ranked St. Olaf (7-15-13) after defeating them Friday night 4-3 at the St. Thomas Ice Arena.

Tommie forward Tanner Barnes gave St. Thomas their first goal of the night just over 19 minutes into the first period. The team never let go of that momentum following up with three goals in the second period from defenseman D.J. Jones, forward Brett Gravelle and defenseman Alex Trapp.

To seal the victory, Tommie forward Chris Benson put another puck in the net nearly eight minutes into the third period. With an outstanding lead, Trapp moved in again to score the Tommies’ final goal at 12:14 in the final period.

St. Thomas totaled 40 shots on goal and denied 22 from St. Olaf, holding them scoreless the entire game.

No. 5-ranked Concordia will face off against No. 4-ranked Hamline on Feb. 23, and the winner of that game will play St. Thomas on Feb. 25.