Special teams played a vital role in the Gustavus women’s hockey team 6-0 against Saint Benedict on Wednesday afternoon at Don Roberts Ice Rink. The Golden Gusties scored three power play goals and one short-handed goal to remain undefeated in conference play at 14-0-0 and improve to 19-2-0 overall. The Blazers fell to 4-12-2 overall and 4-8-2 in the MIAC.
Saint Benedict goaltender Abbie Helminen kept the Blazers in the game as she kept Gustavus off the scoreboard in the first period as she made 11 saves for a 0-0 tie at intermission. The Gusties came out more aggressive in the second period as Gustavus drew five Blazer penalties. Linda Evans (Fy., Fairbanks, AK) took advantage of the first power play opportunity as she scored at 3:29 on an assist from Alyssa Saunders (So., Wayzata, Minn.) for the 1-0 lead. The Gusties got on the board again when Lynn Hillen (So., Minnetonka, Minn.) scored an unassisted goal with 14:08 on the clock. Scoring was not done in the period as Molly Doyle (Sr., Richfield, Minn.) recorded her seventh goal of the season on the power play at 18:42 on a pass from Sara Yungner (Fy., Maple Grove, Minn.) for a 3-0 lead at the end of the period.
Gustavus came out with the same intensity in the third period as Melissa Mackley (So., Burnsville, Minn.) posted a short-handed goal at 4:23 with assists credited to Mari Gunderson (Jr., Shoreview, Minn.) and Claire Opsahl (So., Eagan, Minn.). Jessica Doig (Jr., New Prague, Minn.) scored another Gustie power play goal as a Stephanie Kendrick penalty winded down midway through the period. Kirstin Peterson (Fy., St. Paul, Minn.) and Doyle earned assists on the play. Gustavus struck less than a minute later when Lisa Sablak (Fy., South St. Paul, Minn.) recorded her ninth goal of the season on passes from Hillen and Stefanie Ubl (Sr., Blaine, Minn.) at 10:41.
Sarah Windhorst (So., Eden Prairie, Minn.) tallied her first win and shutout of the season as she stopped six shots. Abbie Helminen made 35 saves, including 15 in the second period, as her record fell to 2-7-1. Gustavus moved to 23-0-0 all-time against the Blazers with the series sweep.