Graduate student Ben Kraws stopped 41 shots in goal, while first-year Jan Olenginski scored the game-winning goal to send the No. 7-seeded St. Lawrence University men's hockey team to a 3-2 win and a series sweep over Colgate in the ECAC Quarterfinals at the Class of 1965 Arena in Hamilton, N.Y.

With the win, the Skating Saints advanced to the ECAC Semifinals for the first time since the 2020-21 season when the Scarlet and Brown went on to lift the Whitelaw Cup in Hamden, Conn. Prior to 2020-21, the Saints last played in the Semifinals at Lake Placid during the 2015-16 season.

St. Lawrence improved to 13-18-6 on the year, while the Raiders fell to 16-16-4 in what became their season-finale.

Charles W. Appleton II Head Coach Brent Brekke says he's proud of his group.

"They stuck with it and kept grinding after and challenging first period both nights," said Brekke. "Colgate is an excellent team and we had great games against them all year. Credit to them and what they accomplished this season."

"Our goal from the start of the season was Lake Placid. We didn't exactly take the path we thought we would have, but the adversity and the challenges we faced throughout the season up this point have taught us a lot of lessons and brought us closer together. I'm excited for our next step. I'd also like to give a shoutout to our Saints faithful. They are a passionate group and I look forward to seeing the Appleton Army make their way to Lake Placid!"

As expected after the loss in game one, Colgate came out of the gates firing in game two looking to tie the series, but Kraws was up for the task. The Cranbury, N.J. native made a pair of great saves early on Colgate's Ryan McGuire to hold them off the board early.

Kraws was tested again later when Alex DiPaolo found himself on an abbreviated breakaway that was stopped. Cameron Buhl responded shortly after with a great look that was turned aside by Carter Gylander.

St. Lawrence eventually relinquished the first goal of the game when a backhanded shot on goal was stopped but rebounded to Ryan Sullivan, who tapped it home for the 1-0 lead.


The Saints would go on the kill again late in the period where Drake Burgin nearly tied the game shorthanded after rifling a 2-on-1 shot off the crossbar. The Raiders then took a penalty leading to a 4-on-4 before a short power play that St. Lawrence was unable to score on.

St. Lawrence would be tasked with another kill to start the second after a missed icing call led to a questionable call. The Saints were up for the challenge, however, killing off the man-advantage.

The Scarlet and Brown started to gain traction after the kill getting good looks from Luc Salem and Max Dorrington. The momentum eventually led to a tie game as captain Josh Boyer won a draw back to Cameron Buhl, who fired a shot off the post and in to make it a 1-1 game.

Colgate nearly regained the lead minutes later if not for a highlight-reel save from Kraws, who stopped 12 pucks in the second.

The Saints thought they had taken the lead later in the game as a Will Arquiett redirect went off the crossbar and out keeping the game tied. The score didn't last long however as Tomas Mazura carried a puck into Raider territory and found Felikks Gavars with a beautiful feed. The sophomore wired a one-timer past Gylander to give St. Lawrence the 2-1 lead at the intermission.

St. Lawrence started the third on the power play following a penalty at the end of the second and nearly scored again as Gavars' shot pinballed around before sailing wide.

The pendulum would swing the other way as Colgate was given a power play on a controversial interference call. McGuire would take advantage on the ensuing advantage to tie the game at 2-2.

Just after the TV timeout, however, St. Lawrence would once again take the lead. After the Saints caused a turnover in the defensive zone, Olenginski was sprung for a breakaway. The newcomer burned Gylander high to the glove side to take the crucial 3-2 lead.

The Raiders would push back once again with a barrage on the St. Lawrence net, but the defense stood their ground. With the net empty, Colgate unloaded 15 shot attempts but could not find the back of the net as the time hit zeroes.

The sweep is a juxtaposition to last year's quarterfinals that saw Colgate take an overtime win in game one and a 3-2 victory in game two in a sweep at Appleton Arena.

Kraws stopped 41 shots on the day and 88 on the weekend to lead the team to the sweep, while Gylander stopped 19 in the Raider net.

The Skating Saints will take their victorious drive up to Canton, N.Y., and begin preparing for next Friday's Semifinal matchup.