Stefanie Ubl (Sr., Blaine, Minn.) scored two goals in less than 1:30 in the second period as the Gustavus women’s hockey team used a scoring flurry during the decisive period to defeat St. Olaf 7-2 on Saturday night in Northfield, Minn. The Gusties extended their current winning streak over MIAC teams to 14 games dating back to February 3, 2007 with the victory.
Intense pressure was applied immediately by the Golden Gusties as they outshot the Oles 21-0 in the first period. This marked the tenth time Gustavus has kept an opponent from attempting a shot during a period. Molly Doyle (Sr., Richfield, Minn.) got Gustavus on the board at 5:40 on an unassisted goal. St. Olaf goaltender Corbin Ruiz helped keep the contest close before Alyssa Saunders (So., Wayzata, Minn.) scored her second goal of the season at 19:33 as Gustavus ended the period with a 2-0 lead.
An offensive flourish broke out in the second period as both teams combined to score six goals. Ubl started the flurry with two goals at 3:19 and 4:35 and assists being credited to Doyle and Lisa Sablak (Fy., South St. Paul, Minn.) for the first goal. St. Olaf quickly answered with an unassisted goal from Breanna Johnson in the sixth minute. Each squad scored before the period ended as Gustavus got a power play goal from Saunders and an even strength goal from Linda Evans (Fy., Fairbanks, Alaska) and Elizabeth Dunlap recorded the Oles’ second goal.
Lynn Hillen (So., Minnetonka, Minn.) found the back of the net in the third period for the Gusties’ second power play goal of the game at 15:24. The Gusties finished the game with two power play goals on six chances, while the Oles went 0-2. Gustavus has not allowed a power play goal in 38 consecutive opportunities. Gustie goaltender Breanna Scavo (So., Blaine, Minn.) earned the victory by making nine saves as her record improved to 7-1-0. St. Olaf goaltenders Ruiz and Erin McNamara combined to make 48 saves in the losing effort.
Gustavus, which improved to 8-1-0 overall and 6-0-0 in the MIAC, will take on UW-Superior on Friday, December 14 at 7:00 pm in St. Peter before the Christmas Holiday. St. Olaf, which fell to 2-5-0 overall and 2-3-0 in conference play, will not play again until January 4 against Saint Benedict.