Chestnut, Pernula named All-Americans

March 24, 2008

The St. Thomas men's hockey team had two of the 12 Division III West All-Americans by the American College Hockey Coaches Association (ACHA). Goalie Tyler Chestnut (SO-Faribault/Shattuck-St. Mary's) and forward Nick Pernula (SR-Osseo) each made second team. Pernula was a repeat honoree.

In 71 career games with the Toms over three seasons, Pernula had 41 goals and 60 assists for 100 points, inclugin 43 point this season (13 goals, 30 assists). He's the 42nd UST men's hockey player to hit 100 points. Pernula scored the lone goal in UST's 2-1 overtime loss to St. Norbert in the NCAA quarterfinals. St. Norbert went on to win the NCAA championship with a 3-0 win over Norwich and a 2-0 win over SUNY-Plattsburgh. Pernula finished 2006-07 on fire. The All-American had a streak of six consecutive multi-goal games end with a season-ending 5-3 loss to Bethel in the conference playoff finals. Pernula finished 2006-07 with 25 goals and 22 assists for 47 points in 27 games. In national stats last season, he ranked second in power-plays goals (16) and third in goals (25).  

Chestnut, who played his first season at Division I Holy Cross, was 18-7-2 this season with a .912 save percentage and a 2.07 GAA. He allowed just five goals in four postseason games. he also had four shutouts on the season.

Nick Pernula (9) helped the Tommies win the MIAC playoff crown. (Greg Smith photo)