#1 Huskies lose 2-1 heartbreaker at NCAA West Regional

Friday, March 29

Fargo, N.D.

6:30 p.m.

St. Cloud State

30-6-3

American International College

23-16-1

AIC

St. Cloud State

Huskies celebrate Easton Brodzinski's third period goal.

3/29/2019 10:07:00 PM | Men's Hockey

Box Score

The #1 St. Cloud State University men's hockey team (30-6-3) saw its 2018-19 season come to an end with a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to #18 American International (23-16-1) in the first round of action at the 2019 NCAA Division I West Regional tournament in Fargo, N.D. on Friday, March 29.

The Huskies dominated the game as they outshot the Yellow Jackets 34-13 but a pair of goals in the first and second periods provided the winning margin for AIC.

In the first period, AIC gained a 1-0 lead with an even-strength goal at 6:01 by Joel Kocur with an assist from Kyle Stephen. The game's eventual game-winner was then posted at 7:32 of the second period with a goal by Brennan Kapcheck. Blake Christensen and Tobias Fladeby each had assists on the play.

The Huskies then took control of the game as they outshot AIC 13-4 in the second period and 15-3 in the final period. SCSU finally broke the shutout at 9:27 of the third period with a power play marker by Easton Brodzinski. Blake Lizotte and Jimmy Schuldt each had assists on the play, which was Brodzinski's 16th goal of the year.

Lizotte moved into a tie for first place on the team with his 28th assist of the year on goal, while Schuldt finished his season with 26 assists. A Hobey Baker top 10 finalist in 2018 and 2019, Schuldt finished his career at SCSU with 118 points, 80 assists and 38 goals. He departs campus as the team's all-time defensive leader for points, goals and power play goals (19). Of note, Lizotte now has 47 career assists and 69 career points in two seasons with the Huskies.

David Hrenak was the goalie of record for SCSU with 11 saves in the game, while Zackarias Skog had 33 saves for AIC in the win. On the power play, SCSU was 1-of-4 and AIC was 0-of-2.

The Huskies finish a very productive season, which included 30 wins and set a new school record for fewest losses in a year with six. SCSU won the 2018-19 NCHC regular season title for the second consecutive season and also set a new team record with only 85 goals allowed this winter. The old record of 90 goals allowed was set in 2015-16. SCSU also set a season record for fewest power play goals allowed at 17, while the old record of 18 PPGs allowed was set in 2007-08.