Tommies stop St. Mary’s in hockey showcase

Travis Baker’s goal 12 minutes 29 seconds into the third period gave St. Thomas a 3-2 victory over St. Mary’s in Round 2 of the 2011 MIAC Men’s Hockey Showcase, Saturday night at Fogerty Arena in Blaine.

Baker’s winner came after St. Thomas and St. Mary’s traded goals in the first and second periods.

Rob Philipp opened the scoring with the first of his two goals 8:32 into the game on a power play, assisted by Rob Vannelli. St. Mary’s Brad Fusaro answered at 18:10.

Philipp put the Tommies back on top 16:02 into the third period off Michael Krieg’s assist, but Kevin Wentland answered at 17:24 to tie it at 2-2.

Goalie Drew Fielding stopped 20 of 22 shots for the Tommies, while Andy Scheib posted 35 saves for St. Mary’s.

The victory gave the Tommies a 1-0-1 record after tying St. Olaf 1-1 Friday night. Tyrone Simcoe stopped 38 for St. Thomas, and Baker again provided the key goal 50 seconds into the second period off Jeremy Hepler’s assist.

The Oles tied the game 6:31 into the third period on a goal by Jeff Harris.

St. Thomas opens its home season Saturday against Concordia-Moorhead.