Season
St. Thomas enters their 4th season in Division 1 with higher expectations after a 2nd-place finish in the CCHA the year before, by far their best in the league since moving from Division III. They have been on an upward trajectory since the move, winning 3 games in 2021–22, 11 in 2022–23, and 15 in 2023–24. They return 22 players from the prior season's roster, which is much higher than 13, 11, and 15 in 21–22, 22–23, and 23-24 respectively. They also return 6 of their top 7 point scorers from last season. [1]
The program also has plenty to look forward to with the construction of Lee and Penny Anderson Arena that is expected to be ready to host games by the 2025–26 season, [2] and a move to the NCHC beginning in 2026–27. [3]
However, despite all the positive signs for the Tommies, the season did not begin well for the club. The offense was not able to coalesce in the first half with St. Thomas able to score three goals in less than half of their games. Even worse, neither Jake Sibell nor Aaron Trotter could find any consistency in goal. In a few of the games where the scoring did show up, the Tommies couldn't keep the puck out of their own net. The results was just 4 wins in 18 games and a national ranking nearing the 50s.
The second half of the year didn't start any better as they Tommies failed to capitalize on a sinking St. Cloud State team but that game appeared to be the turning point for the team. To that point, the team had been led by Liam Malmquist and Lucas Wahlin up front. The two put up solid number in the first half and were the driving force for the team's inadequate scoring. After the loss to the Huskies the two upperclassmen simply increased their output, particularly Wahlin, and resuscitated the season for St. Thomas. Thanks to the increased scoring, the Tommies were able to put together two separate 5-game winning streaks. The situation in net also slowly began to improve and, by the end of the year, Sibell was providing a solid effort in goal that not only provided the club with a winning record, but lifted St. Thomas up to 3rd in the conference.
The team was able to begin the postseason at home against Ferris State and use the match to their advantage. The Tommies preyed upon the weak Bulldog defense and scored 11 goals in 2 games. Malmquist increased his team-leading totals by contributing 6 points in the weekend and provide the team with its first playoff round victory since joining Division I. Fortune continued so smile on the program and, due to an upset in the first round, the team was able to play their semifinal game at home. Bowling Green proved a match for the team for 40 minutes, with the two teams entering the third knotted at 1-all. Malmquist's 19th of the season early in the frame gave the Tommies a narrow lead and then it was up to Sibell to hold the fort. The senior netminder stopped 16 shots in the period, preserving the lead for St. Thomas until Matthew Gleason was whistled for slashing and put his team on the penalty kill for the final 85 seconds. The Falcons pulled their netminder for a 2-man advantage and pressured the STU cage until Cooper Gay found a loose puck in his own zone, skated up the ice and popped the puck into the empty net to ensure the victory. [4]
Entering the championship game, St. Thomas already knew that it would be their final match of the season. The reason for this was because, due to the program promoting from Division III in 2021, the Tommies were not eligible for the NCAA tournament until 2026. [5] The club played well in the game, opening the scoring early in the second before Minnesota State pulled ahead. Malmquist tied the match with a power play marker before the third and the Tommies looked to be a match for the Mavericks. Near the middle of the final frame, MSU got the second lead and St. Thomas desperately searched for a third goal. Unfortunately, they were unable to break through and an empty-net goal from Minnesota State in the final minute sealed their fate.
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