by Hans Bristol / @hans_bristol / sports@kvsc.org

(Photo credit SCSU Athletics)

The St. Cloud State Men’s Hockey team fell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in the West Regional Semi-Final 2-1 to American International College.

AIC took control of the game early with a goal that slipped by SCSU netminder David Hrenak off the stick of Joel Kocur to put the Yellow Jackets ahead 1-0 6:01 into the first period.

AIC would extend their lead to two in the 2nd period as Brennan Kapcheck slotted a goal past Hrenak after being set up by Blake Christensen and Tobias Fladeby.

Zacarias Skog collected 13 saves in the 2nd period and 14 saves in the 3rd period frustrating the Huskies offense shot after shot late into the game.

St. Cloud State would find life, as Easton Brodzinski cut the AIC lead to two with his 16th goal of the season. The goal came 9:27 into the third period.

Skog’s stellar play in goal came up clutch late in the game for AIC as St. Cloud State could not find a response. The game ended 2-1 in favor of AIC as SCSU falls in the opening round of the NCAA tournament in shocking fashion for the second straight season.

American International College goes onto the West Regional Championship game against the NCHC’s own Denver with a trip to the Frozen Four on the line. The 2018-19 season was the first ever winning season for AIC as well as the first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament.

#1 ranked St. Cloud State finishes the season with a 30-6-3 overall record. The season saw SCSU finish with the fewest loses in a season in school history as well as back-to-back NCHC Regular Season Championships.