LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — When starting goaltender Matthew Lopes was taken out of Friday’s NCAA Division III semifinal game with an injury, the Gustavus Adolphus men’s hockey team knew it had a more-than-capable backup.
Actually, Josh Swartout isn’t really a backup.
The sophomore started 15 games this season and was more than ready to step in, as he led the Gusties to a 3-2 overtime victory over second-ranked Wisconsin-Stout to advance to its first national-championship game.
“I was extremely nervous when coach told me I was going in,” Swartout said.
But coach Brett Petersen wasn’t, even with a precarious 2-1 lead at the time.
“Josh is an all-conference goaltender,” Petersen said. “He steps in in a tough, tough position and handles it admirably and then some.”
After giving up a third-period goal, Swartout held down the fort, making 14 saves in the third period and overtime until Patrick Dynan netted the game-winning goal at 6:31 of the extra period. Dynan’s score was redemption from a wide shot he had missed on a shift earlier.
“All I was thinking was, ‘Get this one on net,’” said Dynan, who scored two goals in the game.
The game wasn’t all action, all the time, however.
The only statistics either team could muster in the first period were penalties. The 15th-ranked Gusties and Blue Devils combined for nine penalties and no goals in the frame. Both teams had good scoring chances, but couldn’t finish.
“I thought as the game went on the intensity improved,” Stout coach Terry Watkins said.
The Dynan brothers line — Patrick, Casey and Rory — put the Gusties on the board first at 5:32 of the second period when Patrick Dynan sneaked the puck inside the right post off a pass Rory Dynan. Casey Dynan also assisted.
Joel Gaulrapp tied the game at 11:45, but Gustavus’ Eric Bigham took back the lead with a top-shelf score on a nice feed from Mitch Carlson a little more than three minutes later.
Petersen said Lopes got hurt on Gaulrapp’s goal but finished out the period. Swartout, who was named all-MIAC last week, started the third period. Lopes, who started the Gusties’ last five games, made 18 saves over the first two periods. Petersen said Lopes was being evaluated after the game and his status for today’s title game is uncertain.
“We’re bleessed to have two really good goalies, and, boy, did that come into play tonight,” Petersen said. “Swarty played like an all-conference kid tonight.”
Swartout stopped 10 of 11 shots in the third period, allowing Scott Motz’s game-tying goal with 5:36 to play in regulation.
“Honestly, I felt more comfortable after they had tied it than when we were up 2-1,” Swartout said.
The Gusties will face Neumann (Pa.), who defeated Hobart (N.Y.) 2-0 Friday night, at 4 p.m. today in the national championship game
— Free Press staff writer Shane Frederick contributed to this story.
