St. Cloud State Men's Hockey Begins New Year at the Cactus Cup

Friday, January 2

Acrisure Arena | Palm Springs, Calif.

9:00 P.M. CT

St. Cloud State

Yale

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Photo by: Elizabeth Hennen

St. Cloud State Men's Hockey Begins New Year at the Cactus Cup

12/31/2025 2:21:00 PM | Men's Hockey

Game Notes

Huskies will head to Palm Springs to face Yale for second time ever and first since 2004

THE MATCHUP

St. Cloud State Men's Hockey returns to action for the second half of the season at the Cactus Cup at Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, Calif., this weekend. The Huskies will first faceoff against the Yale Bulldogs on Friday, Jan. 2 at 9:00 p.m. CT / 7:00 p.m. PT before meeting either host UMass Lowell or No. 14 Minnesota State on Saturday. The consolation game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT / 3:30 p.m. PT while the championship game is schedule for 9:00 p.m. CT / 7:00 p.m. PT. The tournament will be streamed on FloHockey (subscription required) with Nick Gismondi, Grant Fuhr and Devon Wilson on the call.
The Huskies snapped a three-game losing streak in its last time out, earning a 4-3 come-from-behind win over No. 6/5 Denver on Dec. 13, its second top-10 win of the season. After starting the season 6-3-0, SCSU has gone 2-7-0 in its last nine and will be looking to stack wins and conference points in the second half of the season to get back into reach of the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, Yale has posted a 4-8-0 record under first-year interim head coach Joe Howe and has lost four straight heading into the Cactus Cup. The Bulldogs last victory came on Nov. 28 against NCHC-foe Omaha, a 2-1 win in the first game of a series played in New Haven, Conn.

NATIONAL POLLS / POST-SEASON OUTLOOK

SCSU has yet to crack the top-20 in either the USCHO or USA Hockey polls this season, but are receiving votes in the USCHO poll. Minnesota State is the only other team in the tournament who is currently ranked in either poll, checking in at No. 14 in both polls. With the second half of the season just starting, focus begins to shift to the NCAA Percentage Index (NPI), which replaces the Pairwise and is the official system for selecting and seeding teams for the NCAA Tournament. In the current NPI, Minnesota State currently sits at No. 11 with a 11-4-5 (1-1 OT) NPI record, while SCSU checks in at No. 23 (8-10-0, 0-3 OT), Yale at No. 50 (4-8-0, 1-1 OT) and UMass Lowell at No. 51 (6-11-0, 0-1 OT).

SERIES HISTORY

St. Cloud State and Yale have met just one time prior, with SCSU earning a 10-0 win on Oct. 30, 2004 in New Haven, Ct. Dave Iannazzo and Billy Hengen each scored twice in the game while Tim Boron made 26 saves to record a shutout. The 10-goal margin of victory still stands as a program record for SCSU, the first of six times the Huskies have beat a team by 10 goals.
SCSU and UMass Lowell have also met just one other time, with the River Hawks winning a 7-4 game on Dec. 1, 1987 in the Huskies' first season as a Division-I program.
SCSU and Minnesota State could renew their rivalry in the tournament, which would be the 138th all-time meeting between the two programs. The Huskies and Mavericks did not play last season, but played the previous four season before that, including a thrilling 5-4 SCSU win in the NCHC Frozen Four in Pittsburgh on April 8, 2021, which sent the Huskies to its first ever National Championship Game. The Mavericks have a slight 63-61-13 edge in the all-time series, but SCSU holds a 3-0-0 advantage in games played on neutral ice since 1987-88.

TERRIFIC TRIO

Junior forward Tyson Gross (23 points / 1.28 ppg), junior forward Barrett Hall (21 points / 1.17 ppg) and sophomore forward Austin Burnevik (19 points / 1.06 ppg) have led the way offensively for the Huskies through the first half of the season, all averaging more than a point per game. SCSU is one of two teams in the NCHC (UMD - 4) and eight in the NCAA to have 3+ players averaging 1.00+ points per game.
SCSU has not had three players average 1.00+ ppg over a full season since 2018-19 when Patrick Newell (46 points / 1.17 ppg), Blake Lizotte (40 points /1.08 ppg) and Robby Jackson (1.05 ppg) all reached the mark. Gross' current mark of 1.28 ppg is the best mark by a Husky since Kale Kossila posted 1.31 points per game in 2015-16 (54 points in 41 games).
In 38 seasons of Division-I hockey, SCSU has had three or more players average 1.00+ ppg in 14 seasons and just four times since 2003-04.

GROSS IN THE DOT

Junior forward Tyson Gross has been dominate in the faceoff circle this season, winning an NCAA-best 261 draws this season. The Husky junior has won 62.0 percent (261-160) of his faceoffs this season, including an NCAA-high 20 wins in both games of the Alaska Anchorage series (Oct. 24-25).
The Husky junior has won 10+ faceoffs in 17 of 18 games this season and 15+ faceoff wins in six consecutive games and nine overall.
Gross has scored a point in 16 of 18 games this season, collecting 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points, ranking 12^th nationally in points and 25^th in assists.
When he scored his 20^th point with an assist against North Dakota on Dec. 6, Gross became the 23rd player in program history to begin their SCSU career with three consecutive 20-point seasons.
Gross scored a power play goal and had two assists in SCSU's 5-1 win over Western Michigan (Nov. 1) to extend his point streak to 10 consecutive games dating back to March 15, 2025. His 10-game point streak is the just the seventh streak of 10+ games in program history since 2002-03.
Gross' three points match a career-high, the third time he has reached that mark after also reaching that mark against Omaha on Dec. 7, 2024 and against Colorado College on Feb. 21, 2025.

DANGEROUS ON THE POWER PLAY

The Huskies have been dangerous at times on the man advantage this season, scoring 22 of its 57 goals on the man advantage with at least one power play tally in 13 of 18 games this season and six games with multiple power play goals.
The Huskies began the season at a scorching rate, converting 39.5 percent (17-of-43) in its first nine games before falling back to 13.9 percent (5-of-36) in its most recent nine games.
SCSU's 27.8 percent success rate (22-of-79) ranks third in the NCHC and sixth nationally while its 22 power play goals rank second in the NCAA, trailing only Michigan's 25 on the man advantage.
The Huskies' four power play goals against Vermont on Oct. 18 were its most since scoring four against St. Thomas on Oct. 7, 2023 while sophomore forward Austin Burnevik netted two of the four power play tallies to become the first Husky to score two power play goals in the same game since Grant Cruikshank scored two at Omaha on Feb. 24, 2023.
Burnevik's six power play goals rank seventh in the NCAA while junior forwards Tyson Gross and Barrett Hall both rank in the top-20 with five and four, respectively.

NO STOPPING BURNEY

After becoming the first freshman in program history to lead the team in both goals and points in 2024-25, sophomore forward Austin Burnevik is picking up right where he left off a season ago. The rising sophomore ranks among the nation's best among goal scorers, ranking seventh in power play goals with six, sixth in game-winning goals with three and 14^th in overall goals with 11.
After being held off the score sheet in the series against Minnesota Duluth, Burnevik scored SCSU's lone goal on Nov. 11 against St. Thomas and added assists in each game against Miami (Nov. 21-22) to keep his hot streak going. He's scored a point in 14 of 18 games this season.
The 2024-25 All-NCHC Rookie Team honoree opened the season with a nine-game point streak, which is the second-longest streak in the nation this season. He also scored in the last two games of last season, moving his point streak to 11 games, the longest point streak by a Husky since Jonny Brodzinski had an 13-game point streak from Dec. 12, 2012 - Feb. 2, 2012. Since 2002-03, only six Husky skaters have recorded seven point streaks of 10+ games. Burnevik is joined by Garrett Roe (14, 2007-08), Jonny Brodzinski (13, 2012-13), Drew LeBlanc (13, 2012-13), Ryan Lasch (11, 2007-08; 10, 2007-08) and Tyson Gross (10, 2025-26).
Burnevik scored a goal in five consecutive games between Oct. 18 and Nov. 1, the longest streak since Veeti Miettinen scored in six straight games between Oct. 20 – Nov. 11, 2023.

STATEMENT WINS

St. Cloud State is 2-7-0 against ranked teams this season, but its two wins have been statement wins that will look real good on its resume once postseason play comes around.
First, SCSU beat defending National Champion and then-No. 3 Western Michigan, 5-1, on Nov. 1 to snap a five-game losing streak to the Broncos. The win was SCSU's first over a top-three ranked opponent since Jan. 7, 2023 when the Huskies beat No. 3/1 Mminnesota, 3-0, in St. Cloud.
SCSU then erased a two-goal deficit to beat No. 6/5 Denver, 4-3, on Dec. 13. The Huskies win was the Pioneers first loss in regulation in conference play this season. The Huskies overcame a two-goal deficit and won for the first time since winning 3-2 in overtime over Minnesota Duluth on March 7, 2025. The last time SCSU overcame a two-goal deficit and won in regulation was Dec. 3, 2022, when the Huskies trailed North Dakota 3-0 before winning 6-3.

STEADY IMPROVEMENT FOR HALLSY

Junior forward Barrett Hall has made steady strides in each of his three seasons in the black and red. Hall began his collegiate career with 16 points (8g/8a) in his 2023-24 freshman season before 22 points (7g/8a) in his sophomore campaign.
The Apple Valley native has elevated his production to more than a point per game this season, producing eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points in 18 games. Hall has already matched his career-bests in goals (eight) and power play goals (four) and is one point away from matching his career high for point production.
Hall has been known to make the highlight play for the Huskies, with his shorthanded goal against North Dakota on Dec. 5 reaching Sportscenter's Top-10 plays.

QUICK START HUSKIES

Good things seem to happen to the Huskies when they score first. SCSU is 8-1-0 when scoring first opposed to 0-9-0 when its opponent scores first
The Huskies have been good at keeping leads as well, posting a 7-0-0 mark when leading after one period and 7-1-0 record when leading after two periods.
Sophomore forward Austin Burnevik and freshman forward Nolan Roed have both scored two first goals for the Huskies this season.

A LOOK BACK AT LAST SERIES

SCSU earned a hard fought split against No. 6/5 Denver in its last time out, dropping the Friday series opener 5-1 before coming back from down two goals to win 4-3 on Saturday. SCSU erased a two-goal deficit in the second period to earn its second ranked win of the season, with junior forward Tyson Gross scoring back-to-back goals to tie the game before junior forward Barrett Hall scored the game-winning score with just over five minutes remaining to lift the Huskies to victory.
In the win, the Huskies handed the Pioneers its first loss in regulation in conference play this season and overcame a two-goal deficit and won for the first time since winning 3-2 in overtime over Minnesota Duluth on March 7, 2025. The last time SCSU overcame a two-goal deficit and won in regulation was Dec. 3, 2022, when the Huskies trailed North Dakota 3-0 before winning 6-3.

NOTES FROM LAST SERIES:

GAME 1 - 5-1 loss vs. Denver (12-12-25)
- On the season, SCSU moves to 0-9-0 when its opponent scores first, 0-8-0 when trailing after the first period and 0-9-0 when trailing after two periods.
- SCSU won the faceoff battle, 31-26, the 13th time in 17 games this season SCSU has won the faceoff battle.
- Junior forward Tyson Gross scored his eighth goal of the season and 21st point with his third period score. He also extended his point streak to five games, scoring in each game since Nov. 21.
- Gross went 15-3 in the faceoff dot, marking the fifth consecutive game and eighth time this season he has won 15+ faceoffs.
- Junior forward Barrett Hall recorded his 12th assist of the season with the primary assist on Gross' goal.
- Freshman forward Noah Urness recorded his fifth assist of the season and his first point since an assist against St. Thomas on Nov. 11.
- Sophomore goaltender Patriks Berzins made 22 saves in the game, marking the seventh time this season he has made 20 or more saves in the game.
GAME 2 - 4-3 win vs. Denver (12-13-25)
- With the win, SCSU moves to 54-62-7 all-time against Denver and 25-25-4 against the Pioneers in St. Cloud.
- On the season, SCSU moves to 8-1-0 when scoring first, 5-3-0 when outshooting its opponent, 1-7-0 when trailing after the first period, 1-8-0 when trailing after two periods and 2-6-0 in one-goal games.
- The Huskies win over Denver was the Pioneers first loss in regulation in conference play this season.
- SCSU overcame a two-goal deficit and won for the first time since winning 3-2 in overtime over Minnesota Duluth on March 7, 2025. The last time SCSU overcame a two-goal deficit and won in regulation was Dec. 3, 2022, when the Huskies trailed North Dakota 3-0 before winning 6-3.
- Junior forward Tyson Gross scored twice in a game for the third time in his career, matching his performances from back-to-back games against Omaha (Dec. 6-7, 2024). He has scored a goal in five of the last six games while setting a new career-best with his 10th goal of the season. The Husky captain also extends his point streak to six games, registering a point in every game since Nov. 21.
- Gross continues his remarkable stretch of success in the faceoff dot, going 16-13 to mark the sixth consecutive game and ninth time this season he has won 15+ faceoffs. He continues to lead the NCAA in faceoff wins, totaling 245 with a 62.0 percent success rate (261-160).
- Senior defenseman Max Smolinski scored his third goal of the season and first goal since Oct. 24 against Alaska Anchorage. His goal at the 2:33 mark of the first period is the second-fastest goal scored by a Husky this season, trailing only Wylie's power play goal at 2:19 on Oct. 25 against UAA.
- The senior transfer added an assist on Gross' goal to record his first multi-point game as a Husky and first since scoring two points against Princeton on Feb. 14, 2025 with R.P.I.
- Junior forward Barrett Hall netted his eighth goal of the season and first game-winning goal of 2025-26 with his third period score to lift the Huskies. His goal also matched his 2023-24 freshman total for the most in a season.
- Sophomore forward Austin Burnevik recorded two assists to match a career-best from Oct. 12, 2024. It marks the sixth time this season and 12th time in his career he has recorded a multi-point game.
- Sophomore goaltender Patriks Berzins made 24 saves in the game to earn his fifth win, marking the eighth time this season he has made 20 or more saves in the game.