BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The 2026 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Men's Hockey Playoffs continued on Saturday evening with a pair of semifinal contests. After No. 2 Gustavus pulled away from No. 3 Saint Mary's, 6-1, top-seeded Saint John's collected a 4-1 win over No. 4 Bethel. The Johnnies will now host the Gusties in the 2026 MIAC Men's Hockey Playoff Championship next Saturday, March 7. Game time is yet to be determined.
NO. 2 GUSTAVUS 6, NO. 3 SAINT MARY'S 1 | Box Score | NO. 1 SAINT JOHN'S 4, NO. 4 BETHEL 1 | Box Score |
-Saint Mary's forward Carter Newpower scored nine minutes into the game, giving the Cardinals the lead for nearly ten full minutes of ice time before the Gusties went on a run of six unanswered goals. The game was tied, 2-1, heading into the third period, where Gustavus scored four goals to put the game out of reach.
-Drew Holt had a four-point night, scoring once and assisting on three goals. His goal tied the game, and his first assist came on the game-winner.
-Gustavus is headed back to the MIAC Playoff championship game for the second straight season. The Gusties won their sixth playoff title in 2025. Gustavus is 3-5 in playoff championship games since the conference moved to its current five-team format in 2002.
-After ending the first period with a 1-1 tie, Saint John's scored once in the second and twice in the third to earn a trip to the MIAC Championship game for the first time since 2019.
-Chris Kernan was credited with the game-winning goal five minutes into the second period. Kernan scored another goal just past the nine-minute mark in the third.
-Johnnie goaltender Jon Howe made 51 saves in the game, including 23 in the third period. His lone blemish came on an unassisted goal by Connor Brazil in the first.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SET FOR SATURDAY Saint John's and Gustavus traded overtime victories in their two-game regular-season series in February. Each team won on its home ice. The two programs have not met in the MIAC Playoffs since the 2014 semifinals and have not faced each other in the MIAC championship game since 2013. The MIAC Playoff champion will receive the postseason championship trophy, the Ed Saugestad Cup, and the Conference's automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Division III Men's Hockey Tournament.
The MIAC Men's Hockey Playoff Championship is now set for Saturday, March 7, at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud. Game time is yet to be determined.
TICKETS ON SALE
Championship game tickets will go on sale next week. All tickets will be sold and purchased online via HomeTown Ticketing. There will not be cash sales at any venue; however, spectators can purchase tickets using a mobile device, including while at the venue. Playoff tickets will go on sale after the regular season has concluded. General admission adult tickets are $12 (plus HTT service charge). Student (with ID) tickets are $3 (plus HTT service charge), and children ages five and under are admitted free.
PAY-PER-VIEW The MIAC Sports Network Help Page provides guidance and links to help fans navigate the streaming platform. Hudl Customer Support is also available by email or 24/7 chat to assist with any issues.
The 2026 MIAC Men's Hockey Playoffs will be streamed live on the MIAC Sports Network in a pay-per-view format. Individual playoff contests will be streamed for $10 each, or $25 for a "championship pass" to stream the entire tournament live. On-demand access to playoff games will be available after the NCAA Tournament concludes.
PLAYOFF APPAREL
Official playoff apparel is available for online purchase via the MIAC Shop powered by UNRestricted MKTG. The online MIAC Shop features officially licensed short-sleeve t-shirts, long-sleeves, and hooded sweatshirts to commemorate the 2026 playoff tournament. Team champion apparel will be added and available for purchase shortly after the championship game.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
The MIAC has a homepage dedicated to the 2026 MIAC Men's Hockey Playoffs, containing schedules, links, and information on each of the five teams in the field. Throughout the tournament, the page will be updated with scores, stats, and updated schedules.
2026 MIAC MEN'S HOCKEY PLAYOFF SCHEDULE Semifinals | Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026 Championship | Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026 GAME TIMES ARE TENTATIVE
Quarterfinals | Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026
No. 4 Bethel 5, No. 5 St. Olaf 2 | Box Score |
No. 2 Gustavus 6, No. 3 Saint Mary's 1 | Box Score |
No. 1 Saint John's 4, No. 4 Bethel 1 | Box Score |
No. 2 Gustavus at No. 1 Saint John's | TBD | Tickets (on sale next week) | Live Stats | PPV Stream |