The Gustavus women’s hockey team figured out how to get the puck past Bethel goaltender Beth Spurrier in a 7-1 win Saturday afternoon at Don Roberts Ice Rink. One day after Spurrier stopped 66 shots and allowed only three goals, the Gusties got on the board three times in the first period. Gustavus improved to 13-1-0 on the season and 8-0-0 in the MIAC, while Bethel dropped to 6-7-1 overall and 3-5-0 in league play. The Gusties remain the only team undefeated in conference play in any winter sport.
Lisa Sablak scored her fifth goal of the season for Gustavus with the assist going to Sara Yungner to give the Gusties a 1-0 lead 6:10 into the first period. Mari Gunderson would score her third goal of the series 1:18 later on a power-play goal following an elbowing penalty called on the Royals’ Miriam Paas. Gustavus tallied its final goal of the period for a 3-0 lead on another power play goal by Kirstin Peterson at 17:33 in the period. Bethel goaltender Beth Spurrier made 16 saves as Gustavus outshot the Royals 19-1.
The Gusties did not let the intermission slow them down as they got on the board at 2:33 with a Jenny Pusch power play goal assisted by Peterson and Melissa Mackley. Bethel would cut the lead to 4-1 two minutes later as Sandra Felten scored her ninth goal of the season, but that was as close as the Royals got during the contest. Gustavus received two more goals from Sablak and Christine Wicker before the period was over for a 6-1 lead heading into the final period.
Allie Harwood would find the back of the net for the Gusties’ lone goal in the third period with assists going to Melissa Kravich and Ubl. Spurrier ended the game with 41 saves on 48 shots on goal to take the loss. Breanna Scavo and Niki Laferriere split time between the pipes for Gustavus as Scavo picked up her 12th win of the season with one save on two shots. Laferriere posted six saves in the third period. Balanced scoring remains a characteristic of this year’s Gustavus squad as 15 skaters registered at least one of the 18 points in the game.
Gustavus plays a key series against St. Thomas next weekend as both squads are at the top of the conference standings. The Gusties will face the Tommies on Friday at Don Roberts Ice Rink in St. Peter with a 7:00 puck drop. The game will be broadcast over the Internet through the Gustavus website.