Kristin Peterson skates in on Bethel goaltender Beth Spurrier.
Melissa Mackley takes a shot.
The Gusties get organized for a two-skater advantage.
Lynn Hillen chases down the puck at neutral ice.
Sixty-five minutes was not enough time to decide the women’s hockey game between Gustavus and Bethel as the squads skated to a 1-1 tie on Friday night in St. Peter. Sandra Felten and Alyssa Gaulrapp both tallied goals in the first period for the only scoring in the game. The Gusties, who extended their current MIAC unbeaten streak to 29 games, moved to 5-1-1 overall and 4-0-1 in the conference. The Royals’ record went to 3-4-1 overall and 3-1-1 in the league.
The Royals got on the scoreboard first after a Gustavus turnover at neutral ice caused an odd-skater rush into the Gusties end. Sandra Felten carried the puck up the left side of the ice before passing the puck across to Olivia Paulseth, who slid the puck under Gustavus goaltender Danielle Justice’s left leg for the goal. Anna Carlson was also credited with the goal at 6:56 in the first period.
Gustavus evened to the score at 1-1 when Alyssa Gaulrapp scored her second goal of the season 18 seconds into a power play with 10:16 on the clock. Lynn Hillen set up the goal by directing a faceoff back to Kirstin Peterson, who found Gaulrapp on the right side of the net for the one-time shot. The score remained tied 1-1 heading into the first intermission.
The Gusties began to control play in the second and third period, but were unable to generate any quality scoring opportunities. With the second period winding down, Bethel’s Sandra Felten took a slapshot that hit the far post, nearly snapping the tie . The best scoring chance for the Gusties came in the third period when the team went on a 5-on-3 power play with under five minutes remaining in the game. After Head Coach Mike Carroll called a timeout, Melissa Mackley took a shot that hit the pipe, keeping the game level at 1-1.
In overtime, Felten has the best scoring opportunity of the period as she skated in on Justice before being taken down by Gustavus’ Kelsey Johnson to prevent the shot. The Royals were could not capitalize on the skater advantage and hung on for the tie.
The Gusties outshot the Royals 31-13, but were unable to get the puck past Bethel goaltender Beth Spurrier, who made 30 saves including 14 in the third period. Gustavus’ Danielle Justice also came up with key saves in the game stopping 12 shots and allowing one goal.
Gustavus will face Bethel tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. in Blaine at the Bethel University Arena. Live statistics are available for the game by clicking here. A live webcast can also be accessed here.