The Gustavus women’s hockey team remained undefeated in the MIAC after picking up a 3-0 win over Saint Benedict on Friday in St. Cloud. The Gusties set a new record for the longest conference unbeaten streak at 13 games with the win as the team improved to 18-2-0 overall and 13-0-0 in the league. Twelve consecutive MIAC wins was the previous record held by the 2001-02 and 2005-06 Gusties. The Blazers fell to 4-11-2 overall and 4-7-2 in the MIAC. The series will conclude Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. in St. Peter with the game broadcast on the Gustavus athletics website.
Gustavus put pressure on Saint Benedict goaltender Abbie Helminen at the start of the game as the Gusties outshot the Blazers 12-3 in the opening period. Helminen kept the game close heading into intermission as Gustavus held a 1-0 lead. Christine Wicker (Jr., Burnsville, Minn.) scored at 10:16 on a pass from Claire Opsahl (So., Eagan, Minn.) and Linda Evans (Fy., Fairbanks, AK) to get the offense started.
The second period was similar to the first as Gustavus did not allow Saint Benedict a shot on goal. The Gusties would score two more times in the period. Allie Harwood (Fy., Rochester, Minn.) capitalized on a Maggie Kinney roughing penalty with 3:36 remaining in the period to give Gustavus a 2-0 lead. Kirstin Peterson (Fy., St. Paul, Minn.) and Kelsey Johnson (Fy., Stillwater, Minn.) were credited with assists on the play. The Gusties scored its last goal of the game at 18:58 when Evans scored her fourth goal of the season on a pass from Wicker.
Breanna Scavo made four saves as her record improved to 17-2-0 on the season and posted her fifth shutout. Helminen stopped 39 shots, including 16 in the scoreless third period, as she allowed just three goals.