Andrea Peterson prepares to unload a slapshot from the blue line.
The Gustavus women’s hockey team had its six-game winning streak snapped with a surprising 5-1 loss at UW-Stevens Point on Sunday afternoon. The #2 ranked Gusties had beaten the #5 ranked Pointers 6-4 earlier this season. Kelly Crandall scored for Gustavus.
After leading 1-0 at the end of the first period, the Pointers broke the game open with three goals in a seven minute stretch in the second period. UW-Stevens Point took a commanding 4-0 lead into the third period.
The Gusties spent much of the third period on the power play, but the Pointers limited the Gusties to just one-for-eight with the man advantage. UW-Stevens Point committed 10 penalties for 31 minutes, including a five-minute major midway through the period. Gustavus had five penalties for 10 minutes and killed off all three UW-Stevens Point power plays.
The Gusties pulled the goalie four times during the final period for a total of three minutes and 29 seconds. The move worked during a four-on-three situation when Kelly Crandall scored off a pass from Ingrid Neve to pull the Gusties within 4-1. Gustavus had a five-on-three power play about three minutes later, but UW-Stevens Point defender Chris Hanson blocked a shot at the point, chased down the loose puck and converted a breakaway past goalie Kara Meyer to make the final score 5-1.
Kitty Hurley suffered the loss in the nets for Gustavus making nine saves and allowing four goals in 34 minutes of play. Kara Meyer played the final 22 minutes in the nets making five saves and allowing one goal.
Gustavus will now travel to Superior, Wisconsin to take on #10 UW-Superior on Tuesday at 7:00 pm. The Gusties and Yellowjackets played to a 2-2 tie earlier this season (Nov. 6) in St. Peter.