The Skating Saints took a 2-0 lead early, then exploded for three late third period goals to put an exclamation point on the St. Lawrence University men's hockey team's 5-1 win over Colorado College on Friday night in Appleton Arena.

St. Lawrence improved to 2-2-0 on the year, while Colorado College fell to 2-1-0.

Justin Paul had two goals in the contest, including the would-be game-winner, while captain Jordan Steinmetz tallied a goal and two assists. Fellow captain Tim Makowski had two assists from the blue line as nine players found the scoresheet with points.

"That was a very good rebound game for us after last Saturday's loss," said Charles W. Appleton II Head Coach Brent Brekke "Our identity as a team, and who we want to be was much better tonight. It was pretty lopsided in the special teams game and our penalty kill was outstanding. Zetterquist made key saves at important times for us."

The Saints were first to the scoreboard in the game off of a goal from one of their captains. At the 12-minute mark of the first period, a quick transition turned into fast offense as Drake Burgin found Makowski, who fired a pass up to his fellow captain Steinmetz. The senior forward stepped into the Tigers' defensive zone and ripped a shot that deflected by a Colorado College defender and past Matt Vernon to give the Skating Saints the lead.

The Saints were down a man to start the second period, but that did not stop them from scoring 45 seconds into the frame. On the power play a Colorado College player blasted a point shot that was blocked down by his own teammate. Steinmetz scooped the puck up and chipped it ahead to Paul, who was streaking through the neutral zone. The junior beat the defender to the puck and slid the puck past a sprawling Vernon to take the 2-0 lead.

On the same power play, the Tigers would cut the lead in half with a goal of their own. Colorado College's Nicklas Andrews skipped a pass cross ice that was tipped by Logan Will to Tyler Coffey, who one-timed the shot home to make it a 2-1 game.



The game remained that way until there was less than five minutes on the clock. Right when the game looked like it was going to be a nail-biter, Luc Salem put the Scarlet and Brown up two goals. Off an offensive zone faceoff win by Tomáš Mazura, Ty Naaykens sent a pass over to Salem at the blueline. The junior blasted a shot that went off a Tiger defender and in to reclaim the two-goal lead. The assist was the first for Mazura in his St. Lawrence career.

The Saints' offense proceeded to erupt for two more goals in the next minute and eight seconds. 44 seconds after Salem's goal, captains Makowski and Steinmetz sprung Josh Boyer for a break as the senior beat Vernon to extend the lead to 4-1.

The Tigers pulled Vernon for an extra skater, but it failed as Tucker McIntosh assisted on a Paul empty-net goal to put a bow on the 5-1 win.

Emil Zetterquist stopped 24 shots in the Saints' net to earn the win, while Vernon stopped 22 of the 26 shots he faced.

Colorado College had plenty of chances on the man-advantage, but the Saints did well to stop the potent attack. The Tigers went 1-for-5 on the power play, but gave up a shorthanded tally, while St. Lawrence went 0-for-1 in their shortened power play chance. The Scarlet and Brown held the narrow 27-25 edge in shots on goal.

The two teams will line up against tomorrow night at Appleton Arena in a 7:00 p.m. showdown to close the weekend series.